I am deeply saddened by the untimely death of former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III.
He approved into law, among others, the following landmark statutes:
- The “Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012” or RA No. 10354 on 21 December 2012. 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.
- The “Anti-Enforced or Involuntary Disappearance Act of 2012” or RA No. 10353 on 21 December 2012 which is a model statute in the Asia Pacific region criminalizing as a separate offense the global menace of enforced disappearance.
- The “Human Rights Victims Reparation and Recognition Act of 2013” or RA No. 10368 on 25 February 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 No. 10868 on 23 June 2016 which honors 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.
EDCEL C. LAGMAN