Majority Leader Neptali “Boyet” Gonzales Jr. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – House majority leader Neptali Gonzales II is pushing for a nominal voting on the controversial Reproductive Health bill.
A Radyo Inquirer 990AM report on Monday quoted the lawmaker as saying that a nominal voting on the bill will uphold transparency.
Under the said scheme, lawmakers will cast their votes one by one and they will be allowed to explain their votes on the bill.
The other form of voting is through what is called ‘viva voce’ where lawmakers cast their votes by simply saying ayes or nays (yes or no).
Gonzales said a nominal voting will show who among the members of the House of Representatives were for and against the bill.
“I will push na mag-nominal voting… para malinaw kung sino ang bumoto. Basta kami, ang basehan ng aming posisyon ay hindi inimbento. Nakikita naming ang sitwasyon sa baba,” he said.
Gonzales also assured that the House leadership will respect its members’ views on the bill.
In fact, he said, some 150 lawmakers have accepted President Benigno Aquino III’s invitation for a meeting in Malacañang this Monday, supposedly to share his views on the proposed legislation.
The House is scheduled to vote on Tuesday whether or not to continue the debates on the RH bill.