President Aquino, the 'special uncle'

• Philippine President Benigno 'Noynoy' Aquino III (R) embraces his nephew Joshua (L) …

Some call him the “beacon of honesty and integrity” and others “pork barrel king,” but President Benigno Aquino can take another title for himself: “special uncle.”

Aquino on Wednesday vowed before businessmen to look into the situation of children with special needs in the Philippines, noting that the issue is close to his heart.

“Mayroon din akong pamangkin na special child. Ewan ko kung special uncle niya ako (I also have a nephew who is a special child. I don’t know if I’m his special uncle),” Aquino said.

He was referring to Josh, his nephew by actress and talk show host Kris Aquino. Josh is said to be very close to the President.

Aquino’s joke was in response to a member of the Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals who asked if privileges may be extended to “special children.”

This could be in the form of discounts for medicine and treatments, said DCCD Engineering Corp.’s Nanding Francisco, who called himself a “special father.”

“Yung gamot pa lang po ng anak ko para na po akong nagpapaaral sa kolehiyo (The cost for medicine alone makes me feel as if I’m sending kids to college),” Francisco said.

Aquino in response said, “Ipaaral natin ang buong kalagayan ng special children (Let’s look into the situation of special children).”

He added that the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (Philhealth) may be able to cover some of the expenses incurred by families of children with special needs.

Several laws in the Philippines, the President added, protect the rights of children with special needs. A bill has recently been filed to improve special education in the country.