Inauguration Day

It's Inauguration Day in the Philippines. This editorial in the Philippine Inquirer got me to thinking about the Presidential Oath and Inaugural Speech.

NEXT to the oath of office, it is the inaugural address, or in this Wednesday's case, the pre-inaugural address and any public pronouncements that may follow, that the country looks to in order to begin to judge the potential of the President.

Well, the Oath is necessary (to later prosecute or impeach) but it doesn't really restrict the President in any way - G. Bush is case in point as well as former President Estrada.

Also, looking to the Inaugural Address is completely useless. I listened to and later read President Estrada's Inaugural address. It was supurb and I was completely won over to the potential of his presidency. Actions "do" speak louder than words. Words cannot be a guide to the actions of a Prsident. Too bad.

Oh, here's Gloria's speech from this morning.