Aquino arrives early for flag ceremony in Malacañang

Three days after arriving late for an official function due to his refusal to use "wang-wang" (blinkers and sirens), President Benigno Simeon Aquino III arrived early for a flag ceremony in Malacañang Monday — still without using the controversial gadgets. A report by radio dzBB's Allan Gatus said Aquino left his house in Times Street in Quezon City at 7 a.m., an hour before the scheduled flag ceremony. He and his convoy arrived at the Palace grounds at 7:44 a.m., about 16 minutes before the morning ceremony. The flag ceremony was among Aquino's public engagements for the day, which kicks off his first full working week as the country's 15th President. President Aquino was to preside over the anniversary of the Philippine Air Force later in the day. Since being inaugurated last June 30, Aquino had refused to use the wang-wang, which he lambasted in his inaugural address as a symbol of inequality. Last week, Aquino arrived late at the turnover ceremonies for the Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff after he refused to use the "wang-wang" to cut through traffic. (See: David assumes top AFP post; Noynoy arrives late) — RSJ, GMANews.TV