Aquino’s House allies to end RH debates today

MANILA, Philippines – Administration allies in the House of Representatives have agreed to vote in favor of terminating the debate on House Bill 4244 or the proposed “Responsible Parenthood, Reproductive Health and Population and Development Act of 2011,” according to two lawmakers present in the caucus that President Aquino called on Monday, August 6.

This means the bill now has a chance of being passed in the current 15th Congress. But this does not mean congressmen will eventually approve the RH bill, the two lawmakers clarified.

“Next battle is (the) period of amendments,” said one informed source.

Members of the House will vote later today, August 6. The House was originally scheduled to vote tomorrow, Tuesday.

PNoy’s ‘appeal’

Lawmakers said the administration allies — both supporters and critics of the RH bill — reached a “consensus” after President Aquino “appealed” to them Monday morning to vote in favor of terminating debates.

About 180 district and party list representatives trooped to Malacañang to attend the caucus.

In a statement, Malacañang confirmed that President Aquino told lawmakers that the RH bill “had been discussed thoroughly enough over the past several years and expressed his desire that Congress move on to the next step in the legislative process.”

“The President expressed his opinion on the Responsible Parenthood Bill and had a healthy discussion with Congressmen with different persuasions and positions. All sides were heard and considered. Even minority Congressmen and those opposed to the measure were given the opportunity to air their side,” the statement added.

The vote in the House is whether or not they will end the debates on the RH bill so they can proceed to the more crucial stage of the legislative process — the period of amendments. This is the stage where representatives can change contentious provisions in HB 4244 until they come up with a version that House members will agree to pass.

Critics of the RH bill originally wanted to prolong the debates. This could have jeopardized the bill itself, given that there is less than a year left in the current 15th Congress.

Continuing debates could have meant the death of the bill.

‘Not a marching order’

Was President Aquino’s “appeal” equivalent to a marching order?

Liberal Party secretary-general and Cavite Re. Joseph Emilio Abaya said it was not. “No one is ordered to march. Pakiusap is to vote to terminate debates so that people can vote on the issue,” he told Rappler.

“Appeal only to terminate debate…Pakiusap because maraming against,” said the high ranking House official in an SMS message. (It was an appeal because there are many against.)

“He (President Aquino) expressly stated his position that he strongly believes we need responsible parenthood. But he will not impose. He appeals for all to dig into their conscience,” said another lawmaker, coming from a different political party.

Supporters and critics of the RH bill had a discussion during the caucus.

The bill has been pending in the House of plenary — under the period of debates stage — for one year and 6 months.

The Catholic church earlier claimed there are 140 lawmakers against the RH bill. The RH bill advocates questioned the survey. – Rappler.com