Poe lauds Duterte for signing simplified adoption bill into law

Thousands of street kids and orphans in the Philippines need homes or orphanages to look after them. (AP PHOTO/ WALLY SANTANA)

MANILA, Philippines – Senator Grace Poe hailed President Rodrigo Duterte for approving a law on the simplified adoption process which will ease the stigma off adopted children.

“This will remove the stigma of the “ampon lang” mentality because it reinforces that adoption is right and legal and life-changing,” Poe, principal author of the bill in the Senate, said in a statement.

“We thank President Duterte for having the heart for children in need of families and for seeing this measure through,” she added.

Earlier, it was revealed to the media that Duterte signed the Simulated Birth Rectification Act on February 21.

Under the new law, adoption process in the Philippines will be done through a simpler administrative proceeding.

The measure would also “grant amnesty and allow the rectification of the simulated birth of a child where the simulation was made for the best interest of the child.”

READ: Duterte signs law simplifying adoption process

Poe, who, herself is an adopted child, hoped that the new law will lead to the adoption of  more children.

“Marami pang batang nangangailangan ng pagmamahal at kalinga ang maisasalba ng batas na ito,” Poe, who was adopted by celebrity couple Fernando Poe Jr. and Susan Roces, said.

“My parents gave me this meaningful life and I hope that many children will experience it, too, with their new families,” she added. / gsg