Noynoy anxious about car ride with Arroyo on inauguration day

Besides being nervous about his oath-taking and inaugural speech on June 30, President-elect Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III is also anxious about one other thing: his car ride with outgoing President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. "I understand tradition dictates that is part of what has to be done. I understand I have no choice with regards to that matter," Aquino said at a press briefing inside his home on Times Street, Quezon City. The inauguration has only three requirements, according to Manolo Quezon, the designated spokesman for the event. Two of these pertain to the date and time of the occasion — 12 noon of June 30 — and the wording of oath of office.
"Everything else is tradition," Quezon said. "The fetching of the president by president-elect is a tradition begun by Osmeña and Roxas, Quirino and Magsaysay, Garcia and Macapagal, Macapagal and Marcos, Aquino and Ramos, Ramos and Estrada." While Aquino maintained that he would extend all necessary courtesies to the outgoing president — whom he frequently criticized during his campaign — Aquino said there are a few details that he's anxious about. "Iniisip ko sa totoo lang, kelangan ko ba siyang pagbuksan ng pintuan tanda ng pag-galang? Baka naman may vina-violate akong protocol. Meron pang dini-discuss na susunduin ko siya," he said. (To be honest, I'm wondering whether I should open the door for her as a sign of respect. It might turn out that I'm violating protocol. There's also been discussion about whether I should fetch her.) "Tinatandaan ko, sinundo ba ni President Ramos yung nanay ko? Di ko maalala," Aquino said, laughing. (I'm trying to recall if President Ramos fetched my mother? I can't remember.) The late President Corazon Aquino was the predecessor of former president Fidel V. Ramos, who won in the 1992 elections. Aquino said he does not want to be accused of "cheapening" the inauguration rites, so he would try to observe what is required by practice and tradition. "There is a solemnity to the occasion," he said. Other than that, Aquino said other preparations for his inauguration, including the drafting of his speech, are going smoothly. His transition team is also regularly communicating with Malacañang to ensure a smooth transition from the Arroyo to the Aquino government, he said. Aquino said he has no problem with him and Vice president-elect Jejomar Binay taking their oaths side by side at the Quirino Grandstand. He said his runningmate Senator Manuel "Mar" Roxas II also didn't object. "He never said anything on the matter, he has always been proper," Aquino said. Aquino also stood by Roxas's inclusion in his transition team, saying that they would need the expertise of Roxas — who was Trade secretary prior to his successful Senate bid in 2004 — because one of the things that need to be discussed in the transition is the fiscal condition of the country. "He helps us by his expertise and parehong mindset namin, pareho rin ang mission. In effect he is actually representing me in a lot of aspects to be able to get the necessary data," Aquino said. Roxas, who was the frontrunner in the vice presidential race until Binay caught up with him in opinion polls, is considering filing an electoral protest against Binay. - RJAB Jr/KBK, GMANews.TV