Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago. FILE PHOTO/SENATE POOL
MANILA, Philippines – Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago predicted a slim lead in favor of the controversial Reproductive Health bill when the Senate votes on it on Monday.
“Malamang mananalo kami,” Santiago, a staunch supporter of the RH bill, said in a television interview.
“We’ll have a majority I hope of between 11 to 13 senators ,” she said.
There are 23 senators but Santiago said not all members might be present during the voting or if they are present , some of them would probably abstain.
“It’s not necessarily a total vote of 23 that’s why I’m making a conservative estimate of maybe 11 to 13 votes in favor of RH and therefore, we should win it not only on second reading but also on third reading,” she said.
Since President Benigno Aquino III has certified the measure as urgent , the senator said , the Senate can immediately proceed on third and final reading after they vote on second reading this Monday afternoon.
“Pag nanalo kami sa second reading, panalo na kami sa third reading,’ she pointed out.