Quotable quotes from inaugurals past

Next to the oath-taking, the inaugural speech of every new Philippine president is the most awaited portion of every presidential inauguration. This is the opportunity for the new leader to lay down the vision of the incoming administration, and provide the public with an idea on what to expect in the next presidency. Here’s a rundown of presidential inaugurations in years past, and what the presidents promised the Filipino people at the start of their terms: Emilio Aguinaldo Date of Inauguration: January 23, 1899 Venue: Barasoain Church, Malolos Quotable quote: I congratulate our beloved people, who from this date will cease to be anonymous and will be able with legitimate pride to proclaim to the Universe the long coveted name of Philippine Republic. Manuel Quezon Date of Inauguration: November 15, 1935 Venue: Legislative Building, Manila Quotable quote: We shall build a government that will be just, honest, efficient, and strong so that the foundations of the coming Republic may be firm and enduring — a government, indeed, that must satisfy not only the passing needs of the hour but also the exacting demands of the future. Manuel Quezon Date of Inauguration: December 30, 1941 Venue: Corregidor Quotable quote: We are fighting for human liberty and justice, for those principles of individual freedom which we all cherish and without which life would not be worth living. Jose Laurel Date of Inauguration: October 23, 1943 Venue: Legislative Building, Manila Quotable quote: Every drop, every trickle of individual effort shall be grooved into a single channel of common endeavor until they grow into a flowing stream, a rushing cataract, a roaring torrent, a raging flood, hurdling all difficulties and demolishing all barriers in the way of our single purpose and common determination to make our independence stable, lasting and real. Sergio Osmeña Date of Inauguration: August 10, 1944 Venue: Washington, D.C. Quotable quote: Our path of duty is clear. It is the path of national honor, dignity, .1Ild responsibility. It was laid out for us by the great heroes of our race — Rizal, Bonifacio, and Quezon. We shall move forward steadily to reach our goal, maintaining our faith in the United States and fully ooperating with her. Manuel Roxas Date of Inauguration: May 28, 1946 Venue: Legislative Building, Manila Quotable quote: A nation is something more than the people who inhabit a geographic area. It is a spirit, a tradition, and a way of life. Manuel Roxas Date of Inauguration: July 4, 1946 Venue: Independence Grandstand No available copy of speech Elpidio Quirino Date of Inauguration: April, 1948 Venue: Council of State Room, Executive Building, Malacañang Palace Quotable quote: In memory of our great and illustrious friend who is now lying in state, let us pledge ourselves to establish better and closer understanding among us, and I beseech you to manifest more tolerance, goodwill, and love, which we need in this supreme moment of our history. (Note: Quirino took over when Roxas died in office in 1948) Elpidio Quirino Date of Inauguration: December 30, 1949 Venue: Independence Grandstand, Luneta Quotable quote: This country will survive, not because I say so, but because our people have proved it in the past, are proving it now, and will prove it in the difficult years to come. Ramon Magsaysay Date of Inauguration: December 30, 1953 Venue: Independence Grandstand, Luneta Quotable quote: We have a glorious past. Now we must build a future worthy of that past. From this day, the members of my administration, beginning with myself, shall cease to belong to our parties, to our families, even to ourselves. We shall belong only to the people. Carlos P. Garcia Date of Inauguration: March, 1957 Venue: Council of State Room, Executive Building, Malacañang Palace Quotable quote: In asking for the support and cooperation of the Filipino people, I appeal for sobriety, calmness, and dedication in the fulfillment of our common duty to God and country, for the great ideals for which President Magsaysay lived and died. (Note: Garcia took over the presidency when Magsaysay died in a plane crash in 1957) Carlos P. Garcia Date of Inauguration: December 30, 1957 Venue: Independence Grandstand, Luneta Quotable quote: With humility and deep gratitude, I accept your mandate, and God helping, I shall not fail you. Diosdado Macapagal Date of Inauguration: December 30, 1961 Venue: Independence Grandstand, Luneta Quotable quote: I shall do justice to every citizen, no matter how exalted or how humble may be his station in life. Ferdinand Marcos Date of Inauguration: December 30, 1965 Venue: Independence Grandstand, Luneta Quotable quotes: I am pledged to execute the law and preserve the constitution of our republic. This I shall do, and if need be I shall direct the forcible if legal elimination of all lawless elements. Our forefathers built a democratic republic on an extremely narrow social and economic base. The task of our generation is to broaden this base continuously. We must spread opportunities for higher income for all. But we shall encourage investment to insure progressive production – the true answer to our economic ills. This nation can be great again. Ferdinand Marcos Date of Inauguration: December 30, 1969 Venue: Independence Grandstand, Luneta Quotable quote: There are many things we do not want about our world. Let us not just mourn them. Let us change them. I do not demand of you more than I shall demand of myself and of government. So seek not from government what you cannot find in yourself. Ferdinand Marcos Date of Inauguration: June 30, 1981 Venue: Independence Grandstand, Luneta Quotable quote: We shall not merely dream, we shall achieve. We are the nation today. With courage and vision we shall be more. Ferdinand Marcos Date of Inauguration: February 25, 1986 Venue: Executive Building, Malacañang Palace No available copy of speech Corazon Aquino Date of Inauguration: February 25, 1986 Venue: Club Filipino, San Juan Quotable quotes: It is fitting and proper that, as the rights and liberties of our people were taken away at midnight twenty years ago, the people should firmly recover those lost rights and liberties in the full light of the day. Ninoy believed that only the united strength of a people can overturn a tyranny so evil and so well organized. It took the brutal murder of Ninoy to bring about the unity, the strength, and the phenomenon of People Power. That power has shattered the dictatorship, protected the honorable military who have chosen freedom, and today has established a government dedicated to the protection and meaningful fulfillment of the people's rights and liberties. And now, I would like to appeal to everyone to work for national reconciliation, which is what Ninoy came back home for. I would like to repeat that I am very magnanimous in victory. So I call on all those countrymen of ours who are not yet with us to join us at the earliest possible time so that together we can rebuild our beautiful country. Fidel V. Ramos Date of Inauguration: June 30, 1992 Venue: Quirino Grandstand (formerly Independence Grandstand), Luneta Quotable quotes: Let us begin by telling ourselves the truth. Our nation is in trouble. My administration will prove that government is not unavoidably corrupt — and that bureaucracy is not necessarily ineffective. With so much for us to do, let us not falter. With so little time left in our hands, we cannot afford to fail. Joseph Estrada Date of Inauguration: June 30, 1998 Venue: Barasoain Church, Malolos Quotable quotes: Binabalaan ko sila. Walang kaibigan, walang kumpare, walang kamag-anak o anak na maaaring magsamantala sa ngayon. At ngayon pa lamang sinasabi ko sa inyo, nag-aaksaya lamang kayo ng panahon. Huwag ninyo akong subukan. I felt that the common people have waited long enough for their turn, for their day to come. That day is here. There are things that a real government, even in the worst economic conditions, can do. This government will do it. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo Date of Inauguration: January 21, 2001 Venue: Edsa Shrine, Quezon City Quotable quotes: Join me therefore as we begin to tear down the walls that divide. Let us build an edifice of peace, progress, and economic stability. Great Filipinos, Filipinos of People Power, I ask for your support and prayers. Together, we will light the healing and cleansing flame. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo Date of Inauguration: June 30, 2004 Venue: Cebu Provincial Capitol, Cabu City Quotable quotes: The government must make tough choices, but this I promise: they will be tougher on those who have it easy than on those who have it tough already. Everyday, I shall get up and work for you. I shall make good and I shall do good for the good of all and not just for the cameras. I devote my life and treasure to serving your mandate. Do your responsibility and I shall do mine. - Compiled by Kimberly Jane Tan/YA, GMANews.TV