I had a dream that the following was Noynoy Aquino’s inaugural speech on June 30 at the Luneta: To my dearest countrymen, good afternoon: I thank you all for this humbling moment of making me the 15th president of the Republic of the Philippines. You have spoken on May 10, 2010. I can only bow to your will. I bow because as your chosen leader, I am now your servant.

At your service 24/7. As your servant, you can only be my master. In order that I can perform my job well to the best of my ability, I have listed three rules to guide me:   One: To always serve, first and foremost, the interest of the Filipino people.
Two: To take to heart what is best for our country, its patrimony, its defense, its heritage, its stability in economics, social values and political standing nationally and internationally.

Three: To always invoke the supremacy of our Dear God because, without His will, I can never serve you, my dearest countrymen, and our beloved republic, with all my heart, with all my mind, with all my spirit and with all my strength. Of course, I know, that you will never abandon me as I embark on my mission to make this republic in good shape again. Without you, I’ll have no hands to hold the reins of government. Without you, I’ll have no legs to walk the entire length of the archipelago to get to you, to listen to you, to know about your plight. Without you, I’ll have no brains to work on vital areas to make life good again in this benighted country of ours. They say you made me president because of the legacy of my parents. That is true.

The legacy of my parents was very simple: They never stole anything from you, my dearest
countrymen. They served you with all honesty and sincerity. My father was killed by hired
assassins in 1983 at the airport tarmac. The mastermind, or masterminds maybe, remain scot
free. His crime? He loved you, he loved his country. He kept saying, “The Filipino is worth dying
for.”

Three years after his death, my mother was swept into the presidency through a bloodless revolution authored by no less than you, my dearest countrymen. The Edsa Revolt in 1986 was
your way of saying it’s time we needed Tita Cory to repair the damage done by a dictator of 14
years. My mother, thank God, completed her full term in 1992 and, to the best of my knowledge, not a single anomaly tarnished her tenure. She walked out quietly from the public glare and went
back to the life she had cherished most: privacy. Then, she died on August 1, 2009, succumbing to cancer. In the aftermath of her death came this call from you, my dearest countrymen, for me to carry on the torch.

At first, I was reluctant. I sought God’s guidance. And I heard Him say, “Heed the call of the people. Be their servant.” So, here I am now standing before you—Your humble servant
for the next six years, God willing. I said during the campaign: “Kung walang korap, walang mahirap.” With you, my dearest countrymen, as my master, and with the guidance of our Dear God, I know I can do it, for I will do it. Mga bossing, pag-utusan po ninyo at buong puso ko pong
gagawin. Sa ngalan ng ating Panginoon, maraming, maraming salamat po at mabuhay ang bansang Pilipinas!

*********

Will Robert Jaworski’s second coming be realized as he’s being seriously tapped to coach Meralco
in the Philippine Basketball Association? It’s almost a done deal now, Meralco joining the PBA soon. That would make MVP (Manuel V. Pangilinan) a multi-owner of teams in the PBA, adding his Talk ‘N’ Text to Meralco. Jaworski would make an ideal Meralco coach as he was Meralco’s top gun during Meralco’s heyday in the Micaa, the league killed by the PBA in 1975. Besides, I was told Ateneo bigwigs would seriously oppose MVP’s move to make Norman Black as coach of Meralco. Black is in the thick of things preparing Ateneo to become champ again in the 2010 UAAP season set to blast off next month. The billionaire MVP has been Ateneo’s No. 1 financier all these years.

I say this early, the PBA should spread the welcome mat to Jaworski. He’d even be what the doctor ordered for a league now hounded by loud whispers that San Miguel import Gabe Freeman wasn’t sick but was instead found positive for doping. But wait. My legman told me Jaworski is also being eyed as chair of the Philippine Sports Commission.

I say Jawo is also perfect for the post. Whatever would be Jawo’s pick, I’d be glad for him—although I’d rather that I see him head the PSC. It’s been quite a while that this government agency hasn’t seen quite a great leader. Jawo fits to a T.

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