Santiago on RH Bill: Let’s put it to vote

MANILA, Philippines—Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago on Tuesday urged Senate to vote on the controversial Reproductive Health bill, saying it was “cowardly” to keep on postponing its decision on the issue.

“The Senate has not taken up the RH Bill for weeks. Why are they dragging their feet?” Santiago said in a statement.

“Let’s just put it to a vote. The RH Bill is over 10 years old. It is cowardly to keep postponing the decision,” she said.

The bill is still in the period of amendments in the plenary of the Senate.

In the same statement, Santiago lauded businessman Manul V. Pangilinan for publicly supporting the bill.

“My only prayer is that more people would be as independent-minded as Manny (Pangilinan’s nickname),” she said.

Santiago, author and co-sponsor of the bill, reiterated that the passage of the measure would be beneficial to the people, especially the poor.

“No one can help us but ourselves,” she said.