Benigno Aquino III proclaimed the Philippines’ 15th president by Congress

Aquino proclaimed Philippines’ 15th president

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Congress has proclaimed Benigno Aquino III the country’s new president.

A joint Senate and House of Representatives session voted Wednesday to formalize Aquino’s landslide victory in the country’s first national automated elections last month. The son of the country’s revered democracy icons campaigned on a pledge to target corruption and eliminate poverty.

Aquino will take his oath of office on June 30 to succeed Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, whose nine-year rule has been wracked by four coup attempts and opposition impeachment bids over allegations of election fraud, corruption and human rights abuses.