RH bill may be passed before Christmas break, says Lagman

Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines— The controversial Reproductive Health Bill may be passed before Christmas break, its main proponent said on Tuesday.

Albay Representative Edcel Lagman said over a phone interview that discussions were ongoing on amendments to the much debated measure in order to create a version that would be deemed “acceptable.”

Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. recently said the RH Bill will be discussed with the intention of arriving at a definite version once amendments have been made to the proposed bill.

Lawmakers against the RH Bill have earlier delayed opening the measure to amendments through privilege speeches.

But Lagman assured they were hopeful that the ongoing talks on the amendments would be key to the passage of the bill by the 15th Congress. “Yes, kaya ito, before the Christmas break.”

“But I am barred from divulging the names of the lawmakers in the meetings,” said Lagman who also said that he cannot release information on the amendments just yet.

“These details are confidential for now, but I can assure that the meetings are ongoing,” he said.

The 15th Congress on Monday resumed its third regular session but will only be working for two weeks before it goes on yet another recess for All Saints’ Day.