Sotto vows more perks for solo parents after slip-up

After th controversial remark, Senator Vicente Sotto III meets the Federation of Solo Parent headed by Carina Javier in Senate Tuesday afternoon. (Photo: Joseph Vidal/Prib)

MANILA—Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III on Tuesday met with members of the Federation of Solo Parents after his controversial remark about them during a previous hearing with the Commission on Appointments.

During the hearing on the confirmation of Social Welfare Secretary Judy Taguiwalo last May 3, Sotto cracked a joke about her admitting to being a single mother which caused a public stir.

Sotto apologized saying that those who were offended did not get his joke.

Members of the Federation of Solo Parents were welcomed by Sotto in his office where he assured them that there will be amendments to the Solo Parents Welfare Act of 2000 or Republic Act 8972.

The act provides additional benefits to single parents in the country.

There are currently a number of Senate bills meant to expand the Solo Parents law including Sen.

Loren Legarda’s SBN 243 and Sen. Paolo Benigno Aquino IV’s SBN 715.

The Congress also has a pending bill seeking to add more teeth to RA 8972, the law that makes it illegal for employers to discriminate against any solo-parent employees by increasing the penalties against employers found violating the rights of solo parents.