As well as campaigning on delivering improved investment conditions, he told the many millions of Filipinos living in poverty he would make their lives better. He went as far as to put those promises in writing.
Presenter: Karon Snowdon
Alberto Lim, President Markati Business Club; Martin Cristostomo, Business Processing Association of the Philippines; Alicia Murphy, Coordinator Urban Poor Associates
SNOWDON: The first order of priority is the six billion dollar budget deficit.
To bring it under control Mr Aquino says he will slash government spending, stop wasteful pork barrelling and improve tax collection.
That's been welcomed by the Markati Business Club, an association of Manila business people who openly backed Mr Aquino to win the election.
Markati Director Alberto Lim says Aqunio is a good choice because the economy will benefit if corrruption is tackled.
LIM: The lack of good governance has been responsible for the lack of investments. We could have grown much faster if we had more resources through tax collections to spend on infrstructure that would help a lot.
SNOWDON: The efficiency of tax collection - one the country's biggest problems has fallen from an already low 17 percent to just 12 percent of GDP.
And its not just the wealthy income tax cheats that are a problem.
Smuggling is rampant and the avoidance of import duties on oil alone costs the government at least half a billion dollars a year.
To raise revenue, one of the new administration's tasks will be to review incentives like tax holidays given to investors.
That could ruffle a few feathers.
The thriving IT and business outsourcing industry has enjoyed up to 8 years in tax holidays and other financial incentives which have helped it develop into the world's second biggest after India with 15 percent of the offhshore market.
Martin Cristostomo from the Business Processing Association says he hopes the industry assistance continues.
CRISTOSTOMO: In the past years we have been tagged as the sunrise industry of the country. Seven point five billion dollars of export revenue last year and we have right now close to half a million workers. We hope the incoming administration will continue these benefits if not surpass these to allow us to continue our rapid growth.
MURPHY: At least 20 percent of the population of metro Manila is composed of the urban poor.
SNOWDON: Alicia Murphy a coordinator with the NGO the Urban Poor Associates.
One of the pressing issue for the many poor in the city is the abuse of their rights when developers push them aside. Homelessness and unemployment are high.
President elect Aquino will be expected to improve the education and health systems as well create jobs and rein in unscrupulous developers.
He promised as much during the election campaign - and wisely or not put it all in writing, signing a covenant with his running mate Vice President hopeful Manuel Roxas the former Trade Secretary.Alicia Murphy explains.
MURPHY: In front of ten thousand people they signed a covenant (that) there would be no demolition without relocation and then the provision of jobs and the improvement of the education system.They both signed it in front of ten thousand people.
SNOWDON: The Philippine economy has been doing well and is forecast to grow by 5% this year.
There's been a 40 percent surge in manufacturing and exports and the mining industry would deliver more if investors had more confidence in the country.
Still around 40 percent of the population subsist on less than two dollars a day - poverty and inequality levels are among the highest in South East Asia.
What's needed now is a leader with the strength to tackle corruption and realise the country's real potential.
