Arroyo will not witness Aquino's oath taking ceremony

(Updated 4:30 p.m.) Outgoing President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will not witness the oath taking ceremony of President-elect Benigno “Noynoy" Aquino III, a Palace official said Friday. “After the traditional limousine ride with President-elect Aquino, President Arroyo will leave Quirino Grandstand to give way to her successor. After all, it is his day," Presidential Management Staff (PMS) Chief Ma. Elena Bautista-Horn said at a press briefing in Malacañang. Bautista-Horn explained that outgoing presidents traditionally leave the venue of the inauguration after he or she is given final honors by the military shortly before the oath-taking of the incoming chief executive. “Lahat naman ng previous inaugurations, ganoon. After the honors of the chief, the incoming and outgoing presidents shake hands, and the outgoing president leaves," she said. She added that former President Fidel Ramos was the only outgoing president who witnessed the oath-taking ceremony of his successor, Joseph Estrada, in 1998, since it was the centennial celebration of Philippine independence that year. "Traditionally, sandali lang talaga ang outgoing president sa venue," she said. 'Hands-on' At the same time, Bautista-Horn disclosed that the Aquino sisters were “hands-on" in the preparations for the inauguration. Ballsy, Pinky, and Kris Aquino attended the meeting of the incoming and outgoing administrations’ transition teams to personally look into the preparations being undertaken at the Quirino Grandstand, she said. “They want the inauguration to be simple. That’s what I have observed from their suggestions," she added. The three sisters offered the space they will occupy during the oath-taking ceremony for VIPs who will attend the celebrations, Bautista-Horn also said. "I found it very humbling for them to say they won't attend if there's lack of space – it's really a nice gesture on their part," she said. Aside from government officials, the PMS chief confirmed that foreign dignitaries and heads of states have already expressed their intention to attend the momentous event. Dignitaries up to Aquino's camp Bautista-Horn said Malacañang has begun coordinating with Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) regarding this matter to ensure the dignitaries are accommodated and secured accordingly. However, she declined to identify the dignitaries. “It's best if Mr. Aquino's camp provides such information instead since it drew up the list of guests invited to his inauguration," she said. Bautista-Horn said Malacañang already furnished Mr. Aquino's camp a guide on number of people who can be accommodated without crowding in possible venues for the activities on inauguration day. "We want that group to have an idea about the comfortable numbers," she said. She noted Malacañang estimates its Centennial Hall can accommodate 750 people comfortably. — with Andreo Calonzo/LBG, RJAB Jr., GMANews.TV