Lawmakers stop RH debates due to slight commotion

The House of Representatives was forced to suspend its session abruptly Tuesday night after a group supporting the Reproductive Health (RH) bill caused a slight commotion in the gallery.

Deputy Speaker Arnulfo Fuentebella shut down Tuesday’s activities after present members voted 31 to 17 to suspend the session and end the ruckus which further delayed discussions on the controversial bill.

Akbayan Representative Kaka Bag-ao triggered the outburst from spectators when she questioned why the debate on the RH bill has not been finalized when all matters relating to the bill had already been asked.

Bag-ao pointed out that the list of interpellators opposing the RH was long but they were mostly disinterested as they have not shown up at the session hall which only delayed the proceedings.

She was banking on the leadership’s commitment to put the RH bill to a vote before the end of this year. With only a few session days left before the Christmas break and the 2012 budget ratified, there is little chance that debates on the RH would move forward.