By Alec Go and NG Seruela
The country mourns the passing of former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III on Thursday (June 24) at the age of 61.
He was publicly known as “PNoy,” which is short for ‘President Noy’ and a play on the word ‘Pinoy.’ He served the country as the 15th president from 2010 to 2016.
He was born in Manila on February 8, 1960 to former President Corazon “Cory” Aquino and former senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. He is the only male among their five children.
He studied at the Ateneo de Manila University from elementary to college, where he majored in economics in 1981.
Political career
He first entered politics when he was elected representative of the 2nd district of Tarlac in 1998. In 2004, he was appointed deputy house speaker under the Arroyo administration. In 2007, he was elected senator under the Liberal Party. In 2010, he was elected by the Filipinos as president.
Policies
One of the first policies he imposed during his term as president was the prohibition of the use of “wangwang” or sirens for government officials, except for the emergency and marked vehicles of the government.
He was also known for the K-12 education reform and the tourism campaign, “It’s More Fun in the Philippines.”
His administration focused on the improvement of the Philippine economy, peace and order, and infrastructure. In 2013, he was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine.
According to a Bloomberg report, under Aquino’s term, the nation’s economy “grew an average of 6.2% and twice exceeded 7%, the fastest pace since the 1970s. His administration pursued tax evaders, narrowed the budget deficit from a record level, and enabled the Philippines to clinch its first investment grade score from a major credit rating company.”
Read more: Ex-President Noynoy Aquino III passes away
Among the laws the late president signed are the following:
Republic Act (RA) No. 10533 or Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013, popularly known as K-12, which added two years to the basic education system in preparation for students’ competency.
RA No. 10351 or the Sin Tax Reform Act which restructured excise taxes on tobacco and alcohol products by amending certain sections of the National Revenue Code of 1997.
RA No. 10354 or Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012 which took 13 years to enact. The reproductive health law provides citizens access to safe, affordable, birth control and quality reproductive services.
RA No. 10361 or Batas Kasambahay that promoted humane working conditions for domestic workers through setting minimum wage standards and provision of other assistance.
RA No. 10353 or Anti-Enforced or Involuntary Disappearance Act of 2012 which criminalizes as a separate offense the global menace of enforced disappearance.
RA No. 10368 or Human Rights Victims Reparation and Recognition Act of 2013 which recognizes the heroism of human rights victims during martial law.
RA No. 10868 or Centenarians Act of 2016 o which honors Filipino centenarians and grants them additional benefits and privileges.
After the presidency
According to his family, PNoy was a private person even after his term ended in 2016.
He died “peacefully in his sleep” at 6:30 a.m. on June 24. The Aquino family said his death was due to renal disease secondary to diabetes, per his death certificate.
During his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) in 2014, he reiterated the beginning of transformation through reforms to improve the current state of affairs in the country and its international relations.
“Nakita naman ninyo kung saan tayo nanggaling, at nakita naman ninyong lampas-lampas pa sa ating mga pinangarap noong simula ang tinatamasa natin ngayon… Papalapit na po talaga tayo sa minimithi nating kinabukasan, kung saan naghahari ang katarungan, at tunay pong walang maiiwan,” he said.
“Kuntento na po ako dahil panatag ang kalooban ko, na kung ako po’y mawala na dito, marami po ang magpapatuloy ng ating tinahak na. Baka iyon lang po talaga ang papel ko–umpisahan ito,” he added.
Legacy
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte joined the nation in mourning the passing of the former president and declared June 24 to July 3 as a national mourning period for Aquino’s demise. Along with officials of the present and past administration, he also extended his condolences to the family and loved ones left by Aquino.
Read more: Palace, former leaders mourn death of ex-Pres. Noynoy
Many officials and former leaders, including those whose political views differed from his, recalled the late president’s achievements and his commitment to public service.
“We thank the former president for his service to our country. I hope that my fellow Filipinos will be inspired by his legacy,” Duterte said at the ceremonial signing of 16 laws on June 24.
Read more: Senators remember ex-Pres. Noy’s legacy
The Philippine Population Commission said in a statement that Aquino III “was instrumental in making…universal health services and rights a reality for our countrymen.”
“He was a Philippine leader who defended the cause of Filipino families. PNoy 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,” Undersecretary for Population and Development Juan Antonio Perez III said.
The Department of National Defense also lauded the former commander-in-chief’s advocacy to modernize the country’s military.
“During his term, Republic Act No. 10349 was enacted to revitalize our AFP [Armed Forces of the Philippines] modernization program. As Commander-in-Chief, he recognized the importance of equipping our military to better respond to the evolving domestic and regional security challenges,” Defense Sec. Delfin Lorenzana said.
Lower House ways and means committee chairperson Rep. Joey Salceda said it was under PNoy’s term when “ budgeting became more participatory through the bottom-up budgeting (BUB) system” and when disaster management developments intensified through Project NOAH.
“His expansion of socioeconomic programs such as the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program continues to help lift millions out of abject poverty. His work to engage the private sector in the country’s development is also a model which continues to inform regional and national development,” Salceda said.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), in a statement on June 25, said that among Pnoy’s legacies is the beginning of “development of the DILG, LGUs [local government units], the uniformed services, and the whole government bureaucracy.”
In the education sector, the Department of Education highlighted the passage of several laws under his term, such the Kindergarten Education Act, Anti-Bullying Act of 2013, and Palarong Pambansa Act of 2013.
Former Education chief Bro. Armin Luistro also thanked Aquino for his education reforms and the hiring of around 195,000 teachers and construction of around 118,000 classrooms. – jlo
