The earthquake took place shortly before the new president , SebastiÃ n PiÃ era , was sworn in , at about 12:15 PM local time ( 15:15 UTC ) , at the Chilean congress in ValparaÃ so , where the shaking was clearly felt . The earthquake took place shortly before the new President of Chile , SebastiÃ n PiÃ era , was sworn in , at about 12:15 local time ( 15:15 UTC ) , at the Chilean congress in ValparaÃ so , where the shaking was clearly felt .