Senate resolution expresses ‘profound sympathy’ over Noynoy Aquino’s death

MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Vicente Sotto III on Saturday filed a resolution expressing the Senate’s “profound sympathy and sincere condolences” on the death of former president Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III.

In the resolution, Sotto noted several achievements during the Aquino administration such as true country’s victory against China in its arbitration case on the issue of the West Philippines, as well as the country’s “remarkable” economic growth.

Sotto said that Aquino also supported infrastructure projects such as the Muntinlupa-Cavite Expressway, school infrastructure projects, Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3, and the automated fare collection system for Metro Rail Transit Line 3 and Light Rail Transit Lines 1 and 2.

Aquino also had programs for poverty alleviation, Sotto said, such as the “Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.

“The former president also pushed for reforms to address corruption in the government and issues in the education sector. “

“The untimely death of a true-blue Atenean who had lived his life with honesty, integrity, and simplicity so that others may simply live is a great loss not only to his family but to the Filipino nation as well, particularly those whose lives had touched,” Sotto said in the resolution.

Sotto noted that Aquino once served as a senator and continued his anti-corruption advocacy by introducing several legislations such as the Budget Impoundment and Control Act, the Preservation of Public Infrastructures bill, and the bill amending the Government Procurement Act.

As President, Sotto said Aquino also enacted into law the Sin Tax Reform Law, Philippine Competition Act, Enhanced Basic Education Act, otherwise known as K-12 Program, Domestic Workers Act or Batas Kasambahay, Cybercrime Prevention Act, Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act, and the Tax Incentives Management and Transparency Act (TIMTA).

Aquino died in his sleep on Thursday morning.

He was 61.

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