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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.