President-turned-Congresswoman Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Wednesday left Malacañang for the last time as Chief Executive with a smile and a farewell wave to the nation, a bittersweet ending to a rollercoaster nine year-presidency marked by high economic growth and political unrest.

The outgoing President congratulated President-elect Benigno Aquino III during their brief meeting in the Palace and accompanied him to the Quirino Grandstand in Manila for his inauguration. She left before Aquino was sworn in as the country’s 15th President to take her oath in Pampanga as congresswoman of the second district.

The two leaders stood inside the Palace entrance lobby, sharing handshakes and posing for photographs, to mark the start of the formal turnover of power to the next leadership.

“Congratulations Mr. President,” said the President Arroyo who was all smiles when she greeted her successor at the Palace.

President-elect Aquino, looking relaxed in a barong tagalog and black pants, arrived at the Palace around 10:20 a.m. to fetch his predecessor for their ride together to the inaugural venue.

The two leaders shook hands at least four times at the entrance lobby, a symbolic gesture to the transfer of power soon to take place. In the Palace decorated with white orchids and yellow chrysanthemum flowers, photographers and television cameramen scrambled to record the slice of history.

Vice President Noli de Castro, Executive Secretary Leandro Mendoza, Finance Secretary Margarito Teves, Justice Secretary Alberto Agra, Public Works and Highways Secretary Victor Domingo, and Press Secretary Crispulo Icban Jr. were present in the ceremony of the President.

The incumbent and Aquino then boarded the presidential car, a black Mercedes Benz S-Class with plate number 1, to the inaugural venue. The limousine ride took less than 10 minutes. The trip to the Quirino Grandstand was the outgoing President’s final official motorcade, a long parade and familiar sight that include an ambulance and several black vans filled with elite members of the Presidential Security Group.

Prior to meeting Aquino, Arroyo took a final stroll in her office at the Palace and then made final goodbyes to loyal aides and staff.

Several Palace aides and staff members occupying part of the Palace lobby were teary-eyed when they bade farewell to the outgoing Arroyo. “We will miss her. She is the most hardworking President,” said Jocelyn Mones, one of the Palace household members who cried when she left the Palace.

In Pampanga, Representative Gloria Macapagal Arroyo took her oath as congresswoman along with newly elected Governor Lilia “Baby” Pineda and 200 other elected officials of Pampanga at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center.

Mrs. Arroyo arrived around 12:01 p.m. with husband Miguel “Mike” Arroyo, sons Mikey and Dato, daughter Lulu and members of Cabinet led by Secretary Crispulo “Jun” Icban Jr., and Secretary Butch Pichay. Pineda and Vice Gov. Joseller “Yeng” Guiao, and local officials joined Mrs. Arroyo during the mass oath-taking ceremony administered by Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Eduardo B. Nachura.

Pampanga Archbishop Paciano Aniceto celebrated the mass shortly after the oath-taking.

Also taking their oaths were Pampanga’s 1st district Representative Carmelo Lazatin, 3rd District Rep. Aurelio Gonzales and Angeles City Mayor Eduardo Pamintuan.

The oath-taking was attended by around10,000 people.

Meanwhile, Liberal Party bet for Speaker and incoming Quezon City Rep. (4th District) Feliciano Belmonte Jr. said on Wednesday that Representative Arroyo has good chances of being part of vital House Committees in the 15th Congress.

“She’s in the minority so she won’t get any chairmanship but she can still choose to be a member of the vital committees that [may allow her to] use her expertise,” Belmonte said.

He also expressed optimism that the former President will not be beleaguered by opposing parties in Congress. (with a report by Madel Sabater)