04 July 2014 – Philippine Ambassador to Mexico Catalino R. Dilem, Jr. representing President Benigno S. Aquino III as his Special Envoy, accompanied by Administrative Officer Bernardo Bagalay as member of the Philippine delegation, attended the inauguration of the new Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela Rodriguez in ceremonies held at the Estadio Rommel Fernandez on July 1.
A day before the inauguration ceremony, Ambassador Dilem presented to former Panamanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Francisco Alvarez de Soto the letter of President Aquino designating him as his Special Envoy. The ceremony was held at the Salon Gran Arcon of the Sheraton Hotel.
The inauguration ceremony commenced at 1:00 p.m. as the President of the National Assembly, Adolfo Valderama declared the session open. After the speech delivered by Mr. Valderama, Vice President Isabel Saint Malo de Alvarado was sworn into office. Then President Varela was sworn into office as the 60th President of the Republic of Panama. Mr. Valderama placed the presidential band on the President symbolizing authority and the transfer of power to the new President.
In the President’s inaugural speech, he promised to improve the standard of living of Panamanians. In his first official act as President, he issued an executive decree setting price control on 22 basic commodities. He also promised to improve government service specially in the delivery of public transportation and security services and vowed to eliminate corruption in all levels of government.
After the ceremony, representatives of the international community were given the opportunity to convey their greetings to the new Chief Executive in ceremonies held at the Casa Amarillo of the Office of the President. Ambassador Dilem extended to President Varela the greetings and best wishes of President Aquino as the former embarked on a new mission for his country. END