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Aquino in 3rd SONA asks Congress to pass RH bill


President Benigno Aquino III on Monday asked Congress to pass the controversial reproductive health (RH) in his third State of the Nation Address (SONA). Aquino said responsible parenthood is one of the ways to address classroom and textbook backlogs in public schools. “Ngayong paubos na po ang backlog sa textbooks, sana po ay maiwasan na rin ang backlog sa estudyante. Sa tingin ko po, responsible parenthood ang sagot dito,” the President said in his speech. Aquino’s endorsement of the RH bill was met with a long applause from members of Congress. Some pro-RH lawmakers even gave the President a standing ovation. In the same speech, the President also pushed for the passage of the “sin tax” bill, which he said will fund government projects for maternal health care. “Malaki ang maiaambag ng sin tax bill. Maipasa na sana ito sa lalong madaling panahon, mababawasan na ang bisyo, madadagdagan pa ang pondo,” he said. Aquino has earlier identified the RH bill as one of his administration’s priority legislations. — LBG, GMA News

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