Lawmakers tackle RH bill with emotions, logic

Tears flowed at the Senate on August 13 as lawmakers continue to deliberate on the controversial Reproductive Health (RH) bill. Comedian-turned-politician Senate Majority Leader Vicente “Tito” Sotto III became emotional in his “turno en contra” 40-minute-long speech when he shared why his anti-RH stand is personal: he lost a son exactly 37 years ago because of the contraceptives his wife took. It capped his stand stand that contraceptives are abortifacients and have many side effects threatening the life of mothers and babies. The senator cited studies which he said came from experts of law and science. Meanwhile, Senator Pia Cayetano who is an advocate of the RH bill, said she sympathizes with Sotto but stands by her position on the bill, citing her experience of not being emotionally prepared to bear a child after she lost one. She hopes there will be no more delays in passing the RH bill, which is now in the period of amendments and faces several challenges at the Senate.

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