MANILA, Philippines - Preparations are underway for the inaugural of Senator Benigno Simeon Cojuangco Aquino III as the 15th President of the Philippines on June 30.

The camp of president-elect Aquino met on Monday over preparations for his inaugural on June 30.

In the Philippines, there are no prescribed rules for a president's inaugural.

Nothing is cast in stone, except for the constitutionally prescribed text of his oath of office, and the time he is supposed to be sworn into office, which is high noon of June 30.

"I do solemnly swear [or affirm] that I will faithfully and conscientiously fulfill my duties as president [or vice-president or acting president] of the Philippines, preserve and defend its constitution, execute its laws, do justice to every man, and consecrate myself to the service of the nation. So help me God."

It is like a bride on her wedding day: the president-elect is free to observe or modify traditions.

And tradition, said the president-elect, is what they are considering in planning his inaugural.

Inauguration scenarios

Among the scenarios being considered are:

• a mass at the tomb of former President Corazon and former Senator Benigno 'Ninoy' Aquino Jr. on the morning of the inaugural, before he meets up with President Arroyo so they can ride in the same car to the inaugural venue.
• Maria Montelibano, a member of Aquino’s presidential transition team, confirmed that the inauguration will be held at the Quirino Grandstand, venue of most pre-martial law presidential inaugurals and the Ramos inaugural in 1992.
• Aquino said that despite their political differences, he will accord the President all the respect that befits an incumbent during their car ride. Upon arrival at the venue, tradition dictates that final honors be given the outgoing President, after which she will leave in her personal car before his inaugural.
• In the Aquino scenario, singer Ogie Alcasid will be tapped to compose an inaugural theme song for Aquino.

Carpio-Morales to administer oath

Aquino's camp, meanwhile, is set to formally write Supreme Court Associate Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales to administer the oath of office on Aquino.

Carpio-Morales was the lone dissenting vote in the Supreme Court decision authorizing President Arroyo to appoint Chief Justice Renato Corona during the ban on midnight appointments.

Contrary to popular belief, being sworn into office by the Chief Justice is just a tradition and not a legal requirement.

Aquino, meanwhile, revealed that his inaugural speech will focus on the state of the country in the past, present and future,

He is to emphasize to the public that the future of the country is a product of everyone's cooperation.

He plans to keep his speech short.

Aquino plans to have a working lunch after the inaugural, segue into the inaugural Cabinet meeting at the Palace, and the Vin d’Honneur or diplomatic reception at the Palace by 6 p.m.

Street party at QC Memorial Circle

And instead of a luxurious inaugural ball, Aquino is favoring a street party at the Quezon Memorial Circle to celebrate his inauguration in the evening.

Already, his camp has canvassed that the sound system alone for the party may run up to half a million pesos, where volunteer entertainers are expected to perform.

Aquino, meanwhile, thumbed down proposals for a joint Cabinet meeting with the outgoing administration, saying the transition teams can handle the handover of the reins of government.

Bahay Pangarap or Goldenberg Mansion?

Aside from the inaugural, Aquino is also deciding on his official residence.

Aside from the Bahay Pangarap, which is inside a military compound and which lacks servants’ quarters, Aquino is also considering the Goldenberg Mansion adjacent to the Palace.

It currently serves as a storage house for the Palace Antique collection.

Last year, that was the venue for the press conference of visiting US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Also being considered are the Arlegui Guest House, where President Cory Aquino resided, and the Premiere Guest House where former President Joseph Estrada lived.