Noy endorses RH, sin tax bills

MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Simeon Aquino III on Monday endorsed two of the most contentious bills pending in Congress - the sin tax bill to boost the government's coffers and the reproductive health bill, which seeks to address the country's swelling population.

Aquino said the sin tax bill, which is seen to add some P33 billion to government revenues, will enable the government to fund needed social services for Filipinos as well as discourage the youth from smoking and alcohol drinking.

The President said challenges remain in the country's effort to provide quality health care to its citizens and that resources are needed to provide these services.

"We can easier fulfill all these goals, if the Sin Tax Bill - which rationalizes taxes on alcohol and tobacco products - can be passed. This bill makes vice more expensive while at the same time raising more money for health," Aquino said.

He added that the government is doing its best to address the backlog of school classrooms and said there is a need to pass the Responsible Parenthood Bill to keep the number of students from increasing exponentially.

"We are ending the backlogs in the education sector, but the potential for shortages remains are our student population continues to increase. Perhaps Responsible Parenthood can help address this," Aquino said.

The President’s mention of the Responsible Parenthood Bill, which is opposed by the influential Catholic Church, drew the longest applause from a gallery of lawmakers, cabinet members, and diplomats, among others.

Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. earlier urged his colleagues in the House of Representatives to vote on the reproductive health bill during the resumption of the 15th Congress.

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, meanwhile, said the Senate may be unable to pass the bill this year because several senators still have so many questions regarding the controversial measure.

Shoal dispute

Aquino also refused to back down in the country's dispute with China over a number of territories at the South China Sea.

"We demonstrated utmost forbearance in dealing with this issue. As a sign of our goodwill, we replaced our Navy cutter with a civilian boat as soon as we could. We chose not to respond to their media harangues. I do not think it excessive to ask that our rights be respected, just as we respect their rights as a fellow nation in a world we need to share," Aquino said.

Manila and Beijing have been in a standoff over Panatag Shoal (Scarborough Shoal) since April following discovery of eight Chinese fishing vessels in the disputed waters. The Philippine Navy was supposed to arrest the Chinese fishermen but was prevented when large Chinese government ships intervened.

Aquino vowed that the government will continue to pursue the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) modernization program.

"After only one year and seven months, we have been able to allocate over P28 billion for the AFP Modernization Program. This will soon match the 33 billion pesos set aside for the program in the past 15 years. And we’re only getting started: if our proposed AFP modernization bill is passed in Congress, we will be able to allocate P75 billion for defense within the next five years," Aquino said.

He added that the $30-million fund given entrusted to Manila by Washington for the Defense Capability Upgrade and Sustainment of Equipment Program of the AFP is now ready as well.

"This is in addition to their assistance in improving the way we patrol our shores under the Coast Watch Center of the Philippines, which will soon be established," Aquino said.

The AFP, he disclosed, is also canvassing wares such as cannons, personnel carriers, and frigates.

"Before long, the BRP Ramon Alcaraz, our second Hamilton class cutter, will drop anchor, to partner with the BRP Gregorio del Pilar. We are not sending paper boats out to sea. Now, our 36,000 kilometers of coastline will be patrolled by more modern ships," Aquino said.

The AFP is also told to clean up its hangars as two more C-130s will once again be operational and the military will soon acquire 21 refurbished UH-1H helicopters, four combat utility helicopters, 10 attack helicopters, two naval helicopters, to light aircraft and other air force protection equipment as well.

"We are not doing this because we want to be an aggressor; we are not doing this because we want an escalation. This is about keeping the peace, this is about protecting ourselves - something that we have long thought impossible," Aquino added.

Past administration’s offenses not forgotten

The President also said he is unable to "forget" offenses committed against the nation, stopping short of mentioning the cases and charges against his predecessor Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and ousted Chief Justice Renato Corona.

"This is why, to the next Chief Justice, much will be demanded of you by our people. We have proven the impossible possible; now, our task is reform towards true justice that continues even after our administration," he said.

The government will also continue programs that would directly benefit the poor including the expansion of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. coverage, and the conditional cash transfer or the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.

Two issues, however, were not mentioned during the President's third SONA - the Freedom of Information Bill and the amendments to the economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution.