A total of 101 foreign dignitaries will be in Manila to witness the inauguration of Benigno Aquino III as the Philippines' 15th President on June 30.

Eduardo Malaya, spokesman of the Philippine foreign affairs department, said Monday resident and non-resident ambassadors were designated as special envoys by their respective governments for the event.

Timor-Leste President Jose Ramos-Horta is the lone head of state to attend the inauguration. The U.S., China, Japan and other Southeast Asian governments will send special envoys.

U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk will lead the U.S. Presidential Delegation to Manila. China is sending Yan Junqi, Vice Chairperson of the Chinese National People's Congress as the special envoy of Chinese President Hu Jintao to the inaugural ceremonies. Osamu Fujimura, State Secretary for Foreign Affairs, will represent the Japanese government.

Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member-states Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia will send cabinet-level ministers. Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo confirmed his attendance to the inaugural ceremonies.

The Vatican has designated Osvaldo Padilla, the titular Archbishop of Pia and the Apostolic Nuncio of Korea as the Pope's representative and New Zealand will be represented by a member of parliament John Hayes.

At least 5,000 policemen and soldiers will be deployed in the city of Manila on Wednesday to ensure security during the ceremonies.

Aquino, 50, son of democracy icons late President Corazon Aquino and Benigno Aquino Jr., will be sworn in at 12 noon along with Vice President-elect Jejomar Binay at the Quirino Grandstand.

Go to Forum >>0 Comments