04 December 2012, 4:23 p.m. – THE HOUSE of Representatives has resumed deliberations on the Reproductive Health (RH) Bill following pressure from President Benigno Aquino III.
On Monday, RH bill critics led by Palawan Rep. Dennis Socrates sought 10 minutes for a privilege speech against a “substitute RH bill” earlier adopted to shortcut debates on the measure, but was denied after a vote of 99-91.
Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, main author of the measure, took the floor as Cebu Rep. Pablo Garcia proposed amendments such as changing the beneficiaries of the bill to “married persons” instead of “all persons,” as stated in Section 2.
The limitation of beneficiaries to married couples is unlawful, Lagman told reporters. “With respect to limiting the benefits of reproductive health to married couples, that is a denial of equal protections [in] all international conventions to which we are a signatory, including local legislation like the Magna Carta of Women,” Lagman added.
Lagman also said anti-RH lawmakers should not delay the proceedings any further.
“This system should have an ending, and it can end tomorrow, or on Wednesday. Hindi naman pwedeng abusuhin nila ang proseso dito sa mababang kapulungan,” Lagman said.
Garcia told the Varsitarian he was proposing amendments to make the RH bill acceptable.
“I have just tried to incorporate provisions in the Constitution with respect to the sanctity of family life,” he said.
Article II Section 12 of the 1987 Constitution states: “The State recognizes the sanctity of family life and shall protect and strengthen the family as a basic autonomous social institution. It shall equally protect the life of the mother and the life of the unborn from conception. The natural and primary right and duty of parents in the rearing of the youth for civic efficiency and the development of moral character shall receive the support of the Government.”
Antipolo Bishop Gabriel Reyes, chairman of the Episcopal Commission on Family and Life of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), said the substitute bill remains unacceptable as it will still funnel billions in taxpayers’ money into contraception and sterilization programs.
“The RH Bill is essentially contraceptives. Even if you amend it but you don’t take away that contraceptive purpose, it is still bad and we have to vote against it.” Nikka Lavinia G. Valenzuela and Andre Arnold T. Santiago
