Senate OKs amendment to RH bill

INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines– The Senate  on Wednesday adopted an amendment  in the  Reproductive Health  bill that would prohibit minors access to family  planning services without parental consent.

Section 7 of the  RH bill provides that “no person shall be denied information and access to family planning services whether natural or artificial.”

But Senator  Ralph Recto proposed to amend  the provision, saying  minors  should only be allowed access  if there is  the consent of parents or guardians.

Senator Pia Cayetano, head of the Senate committees on health, and women,  objected to the motion and called for a nominal voting.

Nine voted in favor of Recto’s motion, including himself, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile,  Senate Pro Tempore Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada, Senate Majority Leader  Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, Senators  Edgardo Angara, Francis “Chiz” Escudero, Gregorio Honasan, Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., and Joker Arroyo.

Seven voted against the motion and they were Cayetano and brother, Alan Peter Cayetano, Senators Franklin Drilon, Miriam Defensor-Santiago, Panfilo Lacson, Sergio Osmeña and Ferdinand “Bong-Bong” Marcos Jr.