MANILA, Philippines—The vociferous opposition to the reproductive health bill has just gotten a break from House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte.
Belmonte Thursday said it would not be possible to put to a vote the consolidated House Bill 4244, or the “Responsible Parenthood, Reproductive Health, and Population and Development Bill,” during the remaining session days of Congress.
He said the debates on the RH bill could very well spill over into the next State of the Nation Address (SONA), meaning into the opening of the next regular Congress session in late July.
“We have to continue the debates,” said Belmonte, noting that 50 congressmen have lined up to interpellate the controversial bill, principally authored by Minority Leader and Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, during the remaining 13 days of the first regular session of the 15th Congress.
“We need not finish this (RH bill) in the last 13 days. We’re trying to get in as many bills as possible and these are bills considered for committee reporting or on second reading,” Belmonte said.
<strong>No need to rush</strong>
The Speaker said there was no need to rush the RH bill since President Benigno Aquino III himself “has not made anything or any pressure on us” with regard to the measure.
In fact, the RH bill was not among the priority measures submitted by Malacañang to Congress, Belmonte said.
He said the plenary debates on the RH bill would continue but that guidelines should be agreed to avoid repetitive questions which can only delay the deliberations.
He said that he was not bothered by the threat of civil disobedience by anti-RH advocates but admitted this could put pressure on some congressmen.
“Personally, I think we should at least put it to a vote so we will know and put an end to the issue,” he said.
He said there was no need for the authors of the bill to refile it as its “continuing status” will remain when sessions resume after the SONA in the last week of July.
<strong>‘Political mapping’</strong>
On Thursday, Lagman announced that proponents of the RH bill were doing “political mapping” to ensure the measure’s swift passage on the floor.
He said if a vote were to be taken now, the RH bill would pass.
“It’s hard to disclose the numbers. Numbers can make the enemy worry or wary. I am telling you, we can take a vote anytime, the RH bill could pass,” said Lagman.
Manila Rep. Amado Bagatsing, who is opposed to the measure, assured Lagman that the bill would face rough sailing on the floor.
“I don’t know when it will be scheduled (for floor debates) but I’m ready,” Bagatsing said.
Lagman said he, too, was ready to “lock horns with the oppositors.”
Earlier this week, the Catholic Church leadership, which is vehemently opposed to the bill, pulled out of talks with Malacañang intended to find common ground on the controversial family planning issue. The bishops claimed the dialogue process was of no use as Mr. Aquino had apparently made a decision to support the RH bill.
Meanwhile, Malacañang Thursday said it would continue to pursue Mr. Aquino’s initiatives on reproductive health despite Church threats to withdraw support from the administration.
“If ever that happens, we respect their decision. We’re just doing our job,” said deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte. <strong><em>With Norman Bordadora</em></strong>