( CNN ) -- A new era is beginning in the Philippines -- or you could call it the continuation of a political dynasty . Benigno Aquino III has been sworn in as president , the country 's 15th , after winning election in May by a landslide . He secured more than 15 million votes , about 5.7 million more than his closest competitor , one-time president Joseph Estrada , in a vote viewed as a litmus test for the country 's democracy . There were nine candidates in all . You can associate Aquino with a familiar color -- yellow . He is the son of two revered figures in Philippine life , former president Corazon Aquino and her husband , Benigno . The elder Benigno , an opposition leader , was shot dead upon return from exile in the United States in 1983 , as he attempted to lead a movement to push longtime dictator Ferdinand Marcos out of power . Upon his death , the push for reform fell to his initially reluctant wife , who won support for her `` People Power '' movement while wearing her signature yellow clothing . Amid widespread allegations of electoral fraud and a military mutiny , the U.S. withdrew its support for Marcos , and he sought exile in Hawaii . Corazon Aquino served from 1986 to 1992 , fighting against poverty and the country 's massive debt , while contending with a Marxist insurgency and seven coup attempts . She managed to reform the country 's constitution , imposing a single six-year term for presidents . Corazon Aquino died last year . Enter the younger Aquino , who like her , sports signature yellow clothing and talks of restoring power to the people . He takes office after three other presidents who followed his mother , Fidel Ramos , Estrada and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo . At 50 , he 's a relatively youthful president . Critics say he 's had a lackluster records as a congressman and senator . But supporters note there 's been no question about his integrity , in a country where corruption is rife . Like his mother , he had to be coaxed by friends and supporters into running . But now , many Filipinos are noisily celebrating . A public holiday has been declared for the inauguration , which took place at an oceanside park in Manila , filled by a sea of people . Many wore yellow and carried banners and Philippine flags , while others constantly fanned themselves in the heat . The inauguration also attracted dignitaries from throughout the region . Aquino vows to fight corruption , and supporters say he 'll provide a contrast to the unpopular Arroyo , who was often accused of turning a blind eye to it . He 'll only be able to serve for six years , under the reform introduced by his mother . But Benigno Aquino already has made some waves , naming a retired Supreme Court chief justice to lead a truth commission that will look for graft and possibly prosecute Arroyo . He also promises to scrutinize the budget to make sure no funds are being lost to corruption . And he 's said he wants peace talks to end decades-long communist and Islamist insurgencies . Despite big ambitions , Aquino , a bachelor , has a reputation for quiet modesty . `` Do n't let me start out having an inflated sense of my own worth or my ego , not having my feet planted firmly on the ground , '' he said in April , `` because I might succumb to the same temptations that those who are criticizing me have done . ''
NEW : Benigno Aquino III sworn in as the Philippines ' 15th President . Aquino won election by a landslide in 1986 . Aquino continues a political dynasty started by his father .