MANILA, Philippines - At first glance, there was simply no doubt that the 1,000-capacity gallery of the Batasan Pambansa was packed with supporters of President-elect, Benigno Aquino III.
   
Yet, the gallery seemed to mirror what is now a brewing power struggle within the inner circle of the incoming President.
   
Seated at the left side of the gallery were supporters of Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, a close family friend of the Aquinos, who ran under the ticket of former President Joseph Estrada.
   
Seated at the right side of the gallery were supporters of Aquino’s defeated running mate, Senator Mar Roxas.
   
Everyone broke into applause each time Aquino was mentioned in the proclamation speeches.
   
But either side of the gallery was quiet when one of the vice-presidential candidates was mentioned.
   
As palpable as the excitement in the air was the uneasy tension between both sides of the Batasan gallery.
   
Before the proclamation concluded, partisans of Binay and Roxas were not able to help themselves and exchange chants.
 
Literally caught in between were members of the Aquino family, political and showbiz VIPs like ABS-CBN President Charo Santos, Channel 2 head Cory Vidanes, singer Ogie Alcasid, film producer Mother Lily Monteverde, actor Dingdong Dantes, former Social Welfare and Development Secretary Dinky Soliman, former Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Ging Deles, outgoing Quezon City Mayor Sonny Belmonte, Commission on Elections officials, and the president-elect’s girlfriend Valenzuela City councilor Shalani Soledad.
 
It was a full house, with security stringently screening everyone who wanted to enter.
   
The event was also well attended and well covered by both local and foreign media.
   
As the proclamation was concluded, observers couldn’t help but wonder if the clash of supporters on Wednesday at the gallery would be the running theme of the Aquino presidency---a power struggle among his loyal supporters.