The Philippine Online Chronicles

Congress is set to start discussions on the controversial Reproductive Health (RH) bills starting next week. The House committee on population and family development chaired by Biliran Rep. Rogelio Espina will hear the six house bills advocating RH on November 24 and December 8.

Among the measures to be discussed include House Bills 96, 101, 513, 1160 and 3387 or “Providing for a national policy on reproductive health, responsible parenthood and population development” filed by Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, Iloilo Rep. Janette Garin, Akbayan Reps. Kaka Bag-ao and Walden Bello, Muntinlupa Rep. Rodolfo Biazon, Gabriela Womens Party Reps. Luzviminda Ilagan and Emmie de Jesus, and House Bill 1520 or “Protecting the right of the people to information on reproductive health care services” authored by Iloilo Rep. Augusto Syjuco.

Last month, Senate started its joint hearings on Senate Bill 2378 or “An Act Providing for a National Policy on Reproductive Health and Population and Development” authored by Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago. The bill is supported by Senator Pia Cayetano who also chairs the Senate committee on health and demography.

Lagman, also the House Minority Leader and one of the staunchest proponents of RH bill said “there is a good chance that the RH bill would finally be enacted into law.” He said in an ABS-CBN report that the prospects of RH legislation in the 15th Congress are brightest compared to previous Congresses, considering the support of Malacañang as well as the leadership of Congress.

“At it stands, there are around 50 congressmen who expressed their desire to co-author and support the RH bill. We have very good prospect of passing the bill,” Lagman said in a Manila Times report.

The first RH bill was filed in Congress in 1999. Lagman said the passage of the RH bill is long overdue.

In the 14^th Congress, at least 132 house members co-authored the measure but was shelved by former House Speaker Prospero Nograles due to intense lobbying by the Catholic Church, which promotes only natural family planning methods and opposes artificial contraception.

House Speaker Feliciano ‘Sonny’ Belmonte Jr. earlier assured RH bill advocates that the measure will be fully discussed under his term. “I cannot say that under my leadership it will be approved but I can say that under my leadership it will be discussed and hopefully brought to a fruition," he said. Belmonte also asked President Benigno Aquino III to certify the RH bills as urgent.

With regard to the expected pressures from the Catholic Church and pro-life advocates against supporters of the RH measures, Belmonte said it is best left to the decision of lawmakers.

Lagman said the major objectives of the RH bills include maternal health, rights and sustainable development.

The Comprehensive Reproductive Health Bill filed by Gabriela Womens Partylist focuses on making reproductive health care services accessible to the poor as well as granting privileges to women workers to ensure their reproductive health.

Pro-life prayer vigils

Anti-RH bill advocates led by the Sangguniang Laiko ng Pilipinas will hold a prayer vigil today, November 20 at the Manila Cathedral from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. The assembly is dubbed as “Prayer and Reflection Service on Human Life.”

According to Laiko national president Edgardo Tirona, “as a Church, we cannot just be complacent and allow this insidious attempt to ruin the moral and spiritual fabric of our society." He said now is the time for the laity to defend the Catholic faith “against those who are trying to propagate the culture of death in the guise of alleviating the lives" of the poor.

The vigil is supported by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines.

The vigil is a spiritual prelude to the prayer vigil called by Pope Benedict XVI. The vigil, for “All Nascent of Human Life," will be conducted in all dioceses and parishes on November 27, the eve of the first Sunday of Advent, a report posted.