26 LP members vote ‘No’ to RH bill

MANILA, Philippines – The partymates of President Benigno Aquino III in the ruling Liberal Party (LP) voted 43-26 in favor of the Reproductive Health bill (RH bill) on second reading, according to a tally shown to Rappler by an LP leader.

President Aquino has pushed for the measure that seeks to provide reproductive health services, including free contraceptives to the poor.

Short of imposing a party stand, LP President Manuel Roxas II on Tuesday, December 11, issued a statement that said the LP leadership was urging its members to vote on the measure. Roxas himself was present in the House of Representatives on the night of the voting.

Among those who voted against the RH bill was LP stalwart Zamboanga City Rep Ma Isabelle “Beng” Climaco.

She explained: “As an advocate of women, I believe that we already enacted a law (Magna Carta for Women) to protect women and children. What is needed is the implementation from all government agencies, the NGOs, and even the religious sector.”

“There are other pressing concerns and issues that need to be passed such as the HIV/AIDS preventtion and the creation of a National Cancer Insitute. It is for these reasons that I vote “No” to House Bill 4244,” she added.

Also present in the morning anti-RH mass in Quezon City was newly inducted LP member Quirino Rep Dakila Carlo Cua.

Here’s how the political parties and groups in the House of Representatives voted:

– Rappler.com