Senate President Juan Ponce-Enrile
MANILA, Philippines – Senate President Juan Ponce-Enrile was unfazed by President Benigno Aquino III’s latest move to press for the passage of the controversial Reproductive Health bill in Congress, saying the Senate will not be pressured by it.
“No , we will do our job here without being pressured by whatever the other House will do,” Enrile told reporters on Monday, reacting to the President’s meeting earlier in the day with allies in the House of Representatives about the issue.
Like any other measure, he said, the RH bill will have to go through third readings before the chamber votes on it.
“We’re not delaying. We’re as much interested in a vote but we have to follow the process,” he said.
“They are saying were delaying. My God, it has been debated for a few times here but we have given in to other side. I stopped my interpellation but I hope they will not deny me to introduce my amendments,” he said.
Enrile though recognized the President’s right, as the leader of this administration, to appeal for support from his allies in Congress.
“The President is a leader of the country. He’s the leader of the administration. If he feels that the measure is part of his program, he has the right, he has every right to appeal for support,” he said.
“But that does not mean that everybody will heed the appeal of the President. No president has accomplished that.”
Enrile said he himself would “beg off” if the President would ask for his support.
“I will beg off. I will beg off respectfully and I think he will understand,” he said.
“I always supported the program of the administration that I thought are good for the country but I have also my own mind and I have my own notion of what will be good for the country and I think this one is not among them so I have to beg off …”
Enrile said he would vote against the bill and nothing can make him change his mind, saying its passage could change the future of this country.
“I will not base my decision on this particular bill on moral ground or religious ground although those are important to me. I confess I’m a Catholic and a Christian. I believe in my faith but over and above that, I see that in my own mind, maybe I’m wrong but that’s my decision, my view, it will not bring about the long term future of this country,” he added.