During his term, President Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Aquino III signed into law several controversial but transformational measures.
One of these laws was the Sin Tax Reform Act, which Aquino certified as urgent. The law restructures the excise tax on “sin” products such as alcohol and tobacco. The added revenue will help fulfill the administration’s Universal Health Care agenda—by funding the expansion of PhilHealth and the provision of more medical assistance and health enhancement facilities across the country while supporting the livelihood of the country’s tobacco farmers.
K-to-12 is a fulfillment of the former leader’s long-standing agenda to make education the central strategy for investing in the country’s most important resource: the Filipino people.
The passage of the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013 places the country’s basic education curriculum on par with international standards.
President Aquino also made history when he signed the controversial Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012, a measure that provides Filipinos with the reproductive health (RH) information, services, and care necessary to planning and raising families in a responsible and safe manner.
According to Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, the controversial RH law took 13 long years to enact and is a rights-based, health-oriented, and development-driven law that ensures women’s right to safe motherhood and reproductive self-determination.
Also signed during Aquino’s term was the “Anti-Enforced or Involuntary Disappearance Act of 2012” or RA 10353 on December 21, 2012, which is a model statute in the Asia-Pacific region criminalizing as a separate offense the global menace of enforced disappearance.
Aquino also signed the “Human Rights Victims Reparation and Recognition Act of 2013” or RA 10368 on February 25, 2013. This law recognizes the unparalleled heroism of human-rights victims who fought against the Marcos dictatorship under martial law, and seeks rightful compensation for their suffering and those of their kin.
The “Centenarians Act of 2016” or RA 10868 was enacted by Aquino on June 23, 2016 to honor Filipino centenarians and grants them much-needed additional benefits and privileges.
“President Noynoy Aquino put aside partisanship when he endorsed and approved the foregoing laws notwithstanding the fact that I was their principal author representing the opposition,” said Lagman.
Mourn
Meanwhile, Speaker Lord Allan Velasco said the entire House of Representatives extends its heartfelt sympathies and condolences to the Aquino family, friends and colleagues in this difficult time.
“The nation mourns with you and celebrates the life of a man who dedicated his service to the country as a three-term Representative of the Second District of Tarlac in Congress, Senator, and President of the Republic of the Philippines,” said Velasco.
Albay Rep. Joey Salceda said his classmate, President Aquino, will be remembered for his sincere desire to serve the country, the best way he can.
“He sought to make governance more modern and responsive. It was under President Aquino’s term that budgeting became more participatory through the bottom-up budgeting [BUB] system,” Salceda said.
“His expansion of socioeconomic programs such as the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program continues to help lift millions out of abject poverty,” he added.
Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin G. Romualdez, Deputy Speaker Mikee Romero, Ang Probinsyano partylist Rep. Ronnie Ong, Iloilo Rep. Jam Baronda, Senior Citizens Rep. Rodolfo Ordanes also joined the nation in mourning the passing of the former president.
Image courtesy of Jimbo Albano
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