Lagman confident Aquino OK to ensure RH bill enactment

Albay Representative Edcel Lagman. RYAN LEAGOGO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines – Albay Representative Edcel Lagman on Friday said that President Benigno Aquino III’s certification for immediate enactment of the Reproductive Health Bill would no doubt seal its final approval next week.

Lagman, the main proponent of House Bill 4244 otherwise known as the RH Bill, said that the certification would ensure the measure’s passage in both chambers of Congress.

“The Presidential certification makes indelible President Aquino’s endorsement of the bill,” he said in a statement.

“It assures a wider margin of victory on third reading for the progressive measure… (and) confirms President Aquino’s advice for House Members to cast a conscience vote without waiting for any Presidential certification,” he added.

This was echoed by House majority leader Neptali Gonzales II who saw the President’s certification as a move that would “allow the Senate to approve its RH version on second and third reading on the same day next week.”

“In the House, considering that copies for third reading were distributed yesterday[Thursday], even without the certification will allow us to vote on it on third reading on Monday,” he said in a text message to reporters.

Lagman had expressed confidence that the RH Bill would have an even greater margin of victory when it is put to nominal vote on third and final reading after it was passed on second reading through nominal voting.

He was hopeful that Aquino’s certification would convince the measure’s “contending protagonist to eventually join ranks in supporting the speedy and full implementation of an RH Law.”

And to Gonzales, the certification “totally changes the complexion of the bill.”

“And for the doubting Thomases of the Liberal Party in the House, it sends a very clear and unmistakable message to its members as to the stand of its party leaders that we should support its passage,” he said.

Aquino, in a recent luncheon with LP members from the House of Representatives, said that if he were allowed to vote, he would support the RH Bill.