- Born: February 8, 1960
- Birth Place: Manila, Philippines
- Relations:
- Father: Benigno Aquino, Jr. - Ninoy Aquino
- Mother: Corazon Aquino - Cory Aquino
- Youngest Sister: Kris Aquino
- Religion: Roman Catholicism
- Profession:
- Bachelor of Arts, Major in Economics
– Ateneo de Manila University
Professional/Public Service Record - Senator – 2007-2010
- Representative, 3rd District of Tarlac
– 1998-2001, 2001-2004, 2004-2007 - Economist
He is considered to be an active and independent-minded legislator but Aquino family friend Reli German has described him as “seen by most people as `a political lightweight, (with) his transformation not yet sufficiently remarkable.’”
On the other hand, former Finance Secretary Ramon Del Rosario has written – “We must reject and vigorously fight corruption because it is a social evil that contributes greatly to poverty. Corruption causes poverty not only because it diverts already meager resources from development and social programs that ought to benefit the poor, but also because it discourages investments that create jobs. If we are to reduce poverty and improve the lives of our people, we must fight corruption. And to do this, we must have leadership that is honest, leadership that we can trust.
Major Positions on Development and Reform Agenda and Other Major AdvocaciesSenator Aquino authored the Workers Productivity Incentives Act of 2007 that would grant annual productivity incentive bonuses to all workers in the private sector amounting to no less than 10% of the company’s net profits before taxes. He also led the call for the renegotiation of Japan – Philippine Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) and voted against its ratification. He authored the Superior Responsibility Act of 2008 which would adopt the doctrine of “Superior Responsibility” for all military and police personnel, in response to extra-judicial killings, particularly human rights activists and media practitioners.
Senator Aquino signed the impeachment complaint against former President Estrada and authored bills that would promote transparency in government such as the Government Procurement Reform Act and the bill that would add Congressional oversight to budget decisions undertaken by the President, including budget rescission, reservation, and deferral.
He also supports the Reproductive Health Bill, though he has also said that his position is “more properly called Responsible Parenthood.”
At the time of the 2004 Hacienda Luisita killings, Senator Aquino himself drew flak from various groups after he said that leftists had goaded the workers in the Hacienda to go on strike. He drew further criticism from human rights groups following a spate of killings of Hacienda’s union leaders, even as he issued statements condemning the killings.
He is in favor of the additional 2 years basic education proposal because it will increase the level of competitiveness of students and make us at par with the global education standards.
He will not impose new taxes or increase tax rates because the problem is the tax collection efficiency.
Regarding the proposal to give the late President Ferdinand Marcos a hero’s burial, Aquino did not endorse it and suggested instead that a commission be created to study the issue (The Manila Times, Feb 22, 2010).
