Reproductive Health (RH) Bill —After 14 long years, legislators finally put to a historic vote and passed the 27-page Reproductive Health Bill on second reading before dawn Thursday despite the overwhelming number of Catholics present during session, led by Archbishop Ramon Agruelles, Bishops Teodoro Bacani Jr., Broderick Pabillo, Jesse Mercado, Honesto Ongtioco, Gabby Reyes and Monsignor Clemente Ignacio.
Out of 217 lawmakers who were present, 113 votes in the affirmative, 104 negative and 3 abstention. Thus, making the RH Bill passed the critical voting period for legislation.
Nueva Ecija Representative Rodolfo Antonino’s attempted to delay the proceedings by proposing amendments which have already been suggested by other legislators and turned down by Lagman in the end proved to be ineffective.
Akbayan Representative Kaka Bag-ao, a co-author of the bill, explained her yes vote, pointing out how the measure “affirms life, upholds choice.”
“Enactment of this bill will not make anyone less Catholic or religious,” Bag-ao said.
The RH Bill has not been certified as urgent by President Benigno Aquino III and will take three days before it is put to a vote for third and final reading.
The earliest that the measure can be put to vote for third reading is on Monday, said opposition House majority leader Neptali Gonzales II Gonzales.
Source: PDI news