MANILA, Philippines – About half a million people, including 200 Pinoys from the US, turned up at the Quirino Grandstand to witness the inauguration of President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III on Wednesday.

After 9 years as president, Gloria Arroyo turned over the reigns of power to Aquino before noon--the first peaceful transfer of country in over a decade.

As mandated by law, Vice President Jejomar Binay was sworn in first, and shortly before noon, Aquino took his oath as the 15th president of the Philippines.

In his inaugural speech, Aquino promised to honor his parents’ legacy.

“My parents sought nothing less and died for nothing less than democracy, peace and prosperity. I am blessed by this legacy. I shall carry the torch forward. Ang layunin ko sa buhay ay simple lang, maging tapat sa aking mga magulang at sa bayan bilang isang marangal na anak, mabait na kuya, at mabuting mamamayan,” Aquino said.

The new president also repeated his campaign promise to rid the government of corruption.

“Naniniwala ako na hindi lahat ng nagsisilbi sa gubyerno ay corrupt. Sa katunayan, mas marami sa kanila at tapat. Pinili nilang maglingkod sa gubyerno upang gumawa ng kabutihan. Ngayon, magkakaroon na sila ng pagkakataong magpakitang-gilas. Inaasahan natin sila sa pagsupil ng korapsiyon sa loob mismo ng burukrasya. Walang lamangan, walang padrino at walang pagnanakaw. Walang wang-wang, walang counterflow, walang tong. Panahon na upang tayo'y muling magkawang-gawa,” he said.

Aquino has promised to eliminate poverty, pursue peace, probe midnight appointments, and go after those who committed crimes against the people and lead by example.

Many say they were impressed with the sincerity of his speech.

“Napaiyak ako kasi karamihan sa atin, mula sa presidente hanggang sa ibaba, pangako na lang ng pangako pero laging napapako. Kanina, ang pakiramdam ko yung pangako nyang yun, hindi lang niya ipinangako sa Diyos kung di sa taongbayan at talagang nakita ko yung sinseridad niya,” a man said.

A Filipina who is a resident of California was not able to vote, but felt the urge to come home after Aquino won the elections.

“Ang dami nang taong lumipas. It’s all been the same and worse. It’s never better. I'm 46 now. I've never been to one of these at all. This morning, I woke up at 3 in the morning, and I'm like, I don't care how far I've walked today, I have to be there,” said a Filipina named Emily.

Meanwhile, Atty. Rodel Rodis was chosen to be among 20 people who read the common pledge called “Panata sa Pagbabago”, an oath of what they would do for the country.

“The people have to commit. We're not just going to sit back and watch him do all the work. Ang ibig sabihin nito may gagampanan din tayo," Rodis said.