Aquino gets kudos for new RH law from Microsoft chairman's wife

He may be getting flak from Catholic Church officials and pro-life groups for signing the Reproductive Health bill into law, but President Benigno Aquino III received kudos from American philanthropist Melinda Gates, wife of Microsoft chairman William Henry "Bill" Gates III. In a post on her Twitter account, Mrs. Gates congratulated Aquino over the new law, which provides information about and access to family planning methods. "Congratulations @noynoyaquino for providing women in the Philippines information about and access to lifesaving contraceptives," she said. The post was sent 7:16 a.m. Sunday, Manila time. It was retweeted by National Epidemiology Center head Enrique Tayag. @noynoyaquino is President Aquino's Twitter handle. Gates and her husband chair the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Her Twitter account described her as "dedicated to helping all people lead healthy, productive lives." On Saturday, Malacañang confirmed Aquino had signed into law last Dec. 21 the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012 as Republic Act 10354. The measure became controversial due to its provisions allowing artificial contraception. The Catholic Church and "pro-life" groups allow only natural family planning. Catholic Church officials had vowed to fight the new law. — LBG, GMA News