MANILA, Philippines — Former president Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III defended the cause of Filipino families by championing reproductive health (RH) in the country, the Commission on Population and Development (PopCom) said Thursday.
Undersecretary for Population and Development Juan Antonio Perez III made the remark as PopCom mourned the passing of the former president. To recall, the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Law was passed during the Aquino administration in 2012.
“Former president Aquino III made it clear during his tenure that RH was a priority of his administration, despite opposition from some sectors,” Perez said in a statement.
“He was a Philippine leader who defended the cause of Filipino families. ‘P-Noy’ made good on his promise in his inaugural speech that every Pinoy was his ‘boss.’ In my book, it was a promise he kept well,” he added.
Perez said the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Law made sexual and reproductive health-care services and rights universally accessible to Filipinos.
“Aquino III’s legacy on RH as well as population and development is undeniable. For that, like-minded partners and stakeholders of these programs, as well as Filipino families, will forever be grateful to him,” Perez said.
Aquino died at 4:30 a.m. on Thursday at the Capitol Medical Center in Quezon City. He served as the country’s 15th president from 2010 to 2016.