Pangilinan files reso honoring ex-President Noynoy Aquino

Senator Francis Pangilinan on Tuesday filed a resolution honoring and remembering the legacy of the late former President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III.

Senate Resolution 765 also expresses profound sympathy and sincere condolences of the Senate to his family on Aquino's passing.

“President Aquino's legacy, which rightfully earns him a place in the annals of our nation's history, is a testament that the Filipino is, indeed, in his own words “worth fighting for,” Pangilinan, Aquino’s ally, said in writing the measure.

“President Aquino undeniably left office in 2016 better off than he found it. His administration not only ushered in a period of rapid and sustained economic growth but also a transformation of political institutions. His leadership was marked by competence, honor, humility, and an unimpeachable dedication to serve the Filipino people,” he added.

The lawmaker cited the Philippines’ victory against China before the Permanent Court of Arbitration, which invalidated the latter’s claim over the West Philippine Sea, as Aquino’s “most significant legacy.”

He also mentioned the decisive steps of the Aquino administration in achieving lasting piece in Mindanao, noting the signing of Comprehensive Agreement on Bangsasmoro which paved the way for the establishment of the Bangsamoro Region in Muslim Mindanao under the Bangsamoro Organic Law.

“President Aquino’s administration is best remembered and lauded for putting in place measures that promoted honest and effective governance, or “Daang Matuwid” as popularly called, which ultimately led to unprecedented economic growth that lifted millions of Filipinos out of poverty,” he said.

“With foundational theories that good governance is good economics, and “Kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap,” significant government reforms combined with sound macroeconomic policies ushered in a climate of hope and confidence in government institutions during his administration,” he added.

The Philippines was “transformed” from being the “Sick Man of Asia” to being one of the fastest growing economies in the world with average economic growth of 6.2% from 2010 to 2015, he said.

This was the highest six-year average growth since 1978.

Pangilinan cited major infrastructure projects that were launched during the late president’s term, specifically the Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3 and the NLEX-SLEX Connector Road Project, among others.

The lawmaker also explained the effects of the economic growth to the poor and marginalized sector, particularly in the unemployment rate which dipped to 5.6% in October 2015— the lowers in a decade and a first time in the history to lower it down below 6%.

“PhilHealth coverage dramatically expanded during his term. PhilHealth coverage rate at the national level was at 92% (93.45 million of the 101.45 million 2015 projected population) as of December 2015,” he wrote in the measure.

Pangilinan further noted the improvement in rice self-sufficiency ratio under the Aquino administration which rose from 81% in 2010 to 95% in 2016.

Among the landmark legislations that Aquino had signed into law was the Republic Act No. 10533 or the law for the K to 12 Basic Education Program and RA 10354 or the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act.

Pangilinan said RA 10354 reflected the government’s commitment to guarantee the exercise of the universal basic human right to reproductive health and the promotion of gender equality and equity through informed choices on reproductive health.

The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) under the Aquino administration was also boosted and the number of beneficiaries has risen from 786,523 poor households as of June 2010 to 4.4 million poor households and displaced families as of June 2016.

Another resolution was filed by Senate President Vicente Sotto III last Saturday which also honored the life of Aquino and his years in public service.

Aquino, 61, died Thursday last week due to renal disease secondary to diabetes.

He was cremated on Thursday night and laid to rest on Saturday afternoon at Manila Memorial Park.

In a separate statement, Pangilinan said Filipinos may use Malacañang's Proclamation 1169 declaring 10 days of national mourning ending July 3 to express their condolences to the late President’s family and friends, as well as their own grief.

“Naging maikli ang burol dahil sa pandemya, pero hindi natatapos ang pagluluksa ng bansa. Merong mga community prayer memorials sa iba’t ibang bahagi ng bansa ang pwede nating puntahan o itayo sa ating mga komunidad,” Pangilinan said.

(His wake had been short because of the pandemic but the entire nation is still mourning. There are community prayer memorials in different parts of the country.)

He said there are existing community memorials in Muntinlupa, Malabon, Cavite, Quezon, Pampanga, Tarlac, Albay, Cebu City, Iloilo City, Negros Occidental, Zamboanga City, among others.

“It was an honor to serve alongside him in the Senate, to be the campaign manager of their slate as they ran for President in 2010, and again to serve as one of his Cabinet Secretaries in 2014 to 2015. We witnessed how hard he worked, and how it was always for the good of the people. Maraming salamat, PNoy,” Pangilinan said.—AOL, GMA News