Anti-RH forces delay period of amendments

MANILA - Pro-Reproductive Health (RH) bill representatives were disappointed by what they call dilatory tactics by anti-RH congressmen after Tuesday's session was adjourned, delaying the start of the period of amendments on the controversial measure.

Palawan Rep. Dennis Socrates, who is against the RH bill, delayed the proceedings by asking for a nominal voting on whether he can continue with his privilege speech on why the termination of the RH debates were advanced by one day last week, from August 7 to August 6.

Pro-RH bill supporters, with backing from President Aquino, won a key victory last August 6 when the lower House, via a viva voce vote, succeeded in ending plenary debates on the RH bill.

The lower House decided to adjourn Tuesday's session instead of proceeding with the nominal voting since there was no longer a quorum in the House of Representatives. Many congressmen had left the session because of Socrates' long privilege speech.

The House had a quorum with 194 representatives present at the plenary session and 88 absent.

Pro-RH congressmen, led by Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, Akbayan Rep. Walden Bello, Ifugao Rep. Teddy Baguilat, Pangasinan Rep. Kimi Cojuangco and many others, believe that the House leadership should have a firm resolve to prioritize the period of amendments and address the concerns of those opposed to the RH bill.

They also hope that more congressmen would stay for the debates so that there will always be a quorum when a nominal voting is called. They hope that the period of amendments will push through tomorrow.

With 194 representatives present, the period of amendments for the controversial RH bill was supposed to start tonight.

The proceeding is expected to heat up with anti-RH advocates like Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, Zambales Rep. Mitos Magsaysay and others expected to try to delay and block the passage of the RH bill.

Pro-RH bill advocates, meanwhile, want to get the period of amendments finished as soon as possible so they can vote on the bill on second reading.

Opposed by Catholic church

The RH bill would make it mandatory for the government to provide free contraceptives as well as introducing sex education in schools, which the politically influential Catholic church has rejected.

The church, whose opinion on key issues helps to shape public opinion, led thousands in a rally last August 4 to call on congressmen to junk the bill.

The Senate needs to separately pass the bill before it can effectively become law, and some of its leaders have openly said they would reject it.

In the pas,t opponents of the bill used lengthy debates and long-winded speeches to delay its passage until Congress adjourned, effectively preventing it from being passed.

Women's groups as well as the United Nations have been pushing for the law to be passed, saying it would help to bring down maternal mortality rates in the Philippines, which is one of the highest in the region.