Aquino acknowledges win, starts scouting for cabinet appointees

Aquino acknowledges win, starts scouting for cabinet appointees: "Winning Liberal Party standard bearer Sen. Benigno Aquino III acknowledged the sizeable lead he enjoyed over his rivals in the official count of votes cast in the 2010 presidential derby, saying he was grateful to the Filipino people for their support.

“Based on partial elections results, it is clear that I have significant lead over the next contender in the presidential race,” Aquino said reading a brief statement during a press conference in Tarlac a day after the country conducted its first nationwide automated elections. “I am grateful to the Filipino people for their support and to our loyal supporters in our people's campaign who made this achievement possible.”"

According to Aquino, he considers it “an honor to share this humbling experience with all of you as we begin to accept the responsibility of leading our nation with over 90 million people.”

“Today, we feel the weight of the nation's expectations on our shoulders. With God's grace and the continued support of the people we shall overcome the divisions that afflict us today,” Aquino added.

In an interview, Aquino opted to withhold comment on reports that his rival Sen. Manuel Villar of the Nacionalista Party has conceded the race to him, saying he wants to first read the transcript of Villar’s statement “so I can thank him appropriately.”

Aquino also begged off from commenting on the early results of the official Comelec count showing him enjoying a sizeable lead over former President Joseph Estrada, whose lawyers are threatening to file a protest over alleged poll fraud.

“After the Comelec is done [counting] it is still the Congress that would proclaim the victor. I don't want to claim victory prematurely,” Aquino told reporters. “One must not claim victory when there is uncertainty,” he added.

Aquino likewise dodged a question on what his priorities would be for his first 100 days in office as the new president. “Hintayin po muna natin na maproklama,” he said.

He, however, indicated to reporters that his team is now scouting for potential appointees to key Palace positions in preparation for his assumption as the next president by noon of June 30. “We are already doing our talent search for the cabinet positions,” he said.

Aquino added that, at the moment, he could only name former Social Welfrare Secretary Dinky Soliman who, he said, accepted an offer to return to the Cabinet post Soliman abandoned when the so-called Hyatt 10 group of disgruntled Arroyo Cabinet broke ties with outgoing President Gloria Arroyo.

While he stopped short of naming other potential cabinet appointees in the incoming administration, Aquino intimated that he is inclined to appoint a lawyer who belongs to the LP as his Executive Secretary.

He hinted he was also open to the idea of appointing his cousin, losing administration presidential bet Gilbert Teodoro to his Cabinet, although Teodoro may need to wait until the one year ban on appointing losing bets lapses.

Asked if he was prepared to work with Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino vice presidential bet Jojo Binay, who was reported to have garnered more votes than his LP runningmate Sen. Mar Roxas, Aquino answered: “you should ask Mayor Binay if he is prepared to work for me because I am [going to be] the Chief executive.”