RH bill inches closer to Senate plenary as consolidated version gains ground

MANILA, Philippines—Amid strong opposition from the powerful Roman Catholic Church, a joint panel in the Philippine Senate unveiled on Monday a consolidated version of the Reproductive Health (RH) bill in a bid to nudge the controversial measure, which has increasingly polarized millions of Filipinos all over the archipelago, closer to plenary actions.

The Senate committees on finance, health and demography, and youth, women and family relations released a consolidation of Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago’s Senate bill 2378, Sen. Panfilo Lacson’s Senate bill 2738 and Senator Pia Cayetano’s Senate resolution 238, all of which agree to provide information and access to all Filipinos, “without bias”, all methods of family planning, that have been proven safe and effective.

Senator Cayetano, who chairs the Senate health committee, said the Senate’s version of the RH bill is a consolidated version, but cautioned that the measure will still need the signatures of a majority of the three committees involved before it can be officially filed as a committee report, and eventually brought to the plenary for a vote.

She said the Senate’s RH bill seeks to “provide information and access, without bias, to all methods of family planning which have been proven safe and effective, in accordance with scientific and evidence-based medical standards such as those set by the World Health Organization (WHO), and approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).”

To ensure the safety of contraceptives, the measure said the FDA shall be required to issue strict guidelines with respect to their use, taking into consideration potential side effects, or other harmful effects.

Senator Cayetano said that at least 12 signatures are needed to bring the committee report to the plenary.

A total of 23 senators were listed as members of the joint panel that discussed the bill, namely, the committees on heath, finance, and youth, women and family relations. Senator Cayetano also heads the youth committee.

A key element of the consolidated bill details the government’s list of “essential medicines” which include the following; hormonal contraceptives, intrauterine devices, injectables and other safe, legal and effective family planning products and supplies.

The bill noted that these products and supplies “shall also be included in the regular purchase of essential medicines and supplies of all national and local hospitals, provincial, city, and municipal health offices, including rural health units.”

The bill also recognized the right of each family to determine an ideal family size, “provided that the State will equip each parent with necessary information on all aspects of family life, including reproductive health, in order to make that determination.”

Cayetano stressed that the proposed legislation would not legalize abortion in the country.

A statement from her office clarified that the consolidated bill will not amend the penal law on abortion, but will only mandate the government “to ensure that all women needing care for post-abortion complications shall be treated and counselled in a humane, non-judgmental and compassionate manner.”