MANILA, Philippines – President Benigno Aquino III has offered to be one of the groomsmen in the December wedding of Ogie Alcasid and Regine Velasquez. 

He made announcement at the oathtaking ceremonies on Friday of Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit (OPM) officers. 

"Sa Disyembre, ako ang magiging abay nyo. Pagdating naman ng panahon, kayo ang magiging ninong at ninang ko," Aquino said. 

He thanked the couple for creating the song “Hindi Ka Nag-iisa,” which was used as a campaign jingle in his successful presidential bid. 

During his keynote speech at the event, the president recognized the contribution of Filipino musicians to his life. 

He added that the classic pop song “Saranggola ni Pepe” gave him strength while his father, Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., was in prison during the martial law years. 

The president also tipped his hat to the original Filipino music created by the likes of the Apo Hiking Society, Jose Mari Chan, and Noel Cabangon.

Aquino said the public should support music and the arts. He added that the government will join hands with artists to protect intellectual property rights. -- with a report from Willard Cheng, ABS-CBN News