Arroyo congratulates Noynoy through phone call, newspaper ad

(Updated 3:51 p.m.) President-elect Benigno “Noynoy" Aquino III on Thursday said outgoing President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo congratulated him over the phone on Wednesday night. A full-page advertisement signed by President Arroyo also came out on major broasheets on Thursday congratulating both Aquino and Vice President-elect Jejomar Binay. Aquino said President Arroyo made a “very quick call" at around 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday to congratulate him and wish him success. “‘Congratulations Mr. President’ yata ang sinabi at ‘hoping for your success’," Aquino told reporters at a press briefing in his residence in Times Street, Quezon City. (I think she said ‘Congratulations Mr. President’ and wished me success.) President Arroyo's phone call came around the same time Aquino received a long distance call from US President Barack Obama. A report in GMA Network's "Saksi" Wednesday said Obama's call came around 9 p.m. Aquino, a known critic of President Arroyo, admitted that the conversation was “awkward," but he said he had to extend courtesy since the outgoing President is a woman older than he is. President Arroyo, the incoming congresswoman representing the second district of Pampanga, made the call a few hours after Aquino and Binay were officially proclaimed by Congress as the country’s next top two leaders. In the full-page advertisement, President Arroyo assured that there would be a smooth transition of government. “This election is proof that our democracy is vibrant and our new electoral system is working for the people. I will do all I can to make the transition to the new administration smooth and orderly," the ad read. She likewise urged Filipinos to support the incoming administration. “I call on all Filipinos to rally behind the new administration. We stand with our new leaders in building unity and prosperity for all." - Jam Sisante and Andreo Calonzo/RSJ/KBK, GMANews.TV