Lawmakers’ speeches delay passage of RH bill
THE time allotted for the introduction of amendments to the Reproductive Health bill in plenary is being eaten by the privileged speeches of lawmakers who discuss topics not related to the measure.
Representatives Benhur Salimbangon of Cebu province and Roilo Golez of Parañaque City, who are against House Bill 4244 or the proposed Responsible Parenthood, Reproductive Health, Population and Development Act of 2011, used their personal and collective privileges to speak before plenary for the past two days.
House Bill 4244 mandates the state to provide natural and artificial methods of family planning including condoms, intrauterine devices and pills which are safe, legal and effective.
Salimbangon delivered a 10minute speech on higher electricity rates in Bantayan Island, while Golez made talked about the devastation brought by the southwest monsoon.
The House only holds session from Mondays to Wednesdays, since Thursdays and Fridays are allotted for the district work of the lawmakers. In the case of the RH bill, it would take until August 28 before the period of amendments can be opened considering that August 20, 21 and 27 have been declared public holidays.
August 20 is the end of Ramadan for Muslims, while August 21 marks the 29th death anniversary of former Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr., father of President Benigno Aquino 3rd. August 27, on the other hand, is National Heroes Day. It was Golez’s speech on the wrath of the recent weeklong monsoon rains that finally raised the hackles of one of the RH bill authors, Rep. Janet Garin of Iloilo province.
“We are not the disaster reduction committee. This [ speech] is not about legislation. This is about too much politicking. We owe it to our people to legislate laws. It is our duty to put forward a vote on this measure,” Garin said.
Deputy Speaker Jesus Crispin Remulla, who was the presiding officer at that time, allowed Golez to continue with his speech, saying it does not violate House rules.
Golez seized the moment by immediately seeking to suspend deliberations on the RH bill, arguing that the House should prioritize addressing climate change and flooding first.
The session was adjourned after Golez finished his speech.
As expected, this didn’t sit well with Garin, who fumed that the House leadership should discipline its members because the privileged speeches are now being used to deter the period of amendments for the RH bill.
“Anti- responsible parenthood congressmen filibuster and deliver long speeches in the guise of district concerns. It’s very obvious these past days that they are disrupting the session to delay amendments and subsequent voting. Obviously, they are afraid to put this into a vote as they know the real voice of the people,” Garin said.
Rep. Edcel Lagman of Albay, an RH bill author like Garin, urged the House leaders to come out with a timetable for the bill’s approval, it being a priority legislation of President Benigno Aquino 3rd.
Deputy Majority Leader Romero Quimbo, who presided during Thursday’s session, noted that the House cannot be forever held hostage by the privileged speeches.
“It [delay] will not bring us closer to bringing up the reputation of the House as far as the public is concerned. When people don’t cooperate, everyone loses,” Quimbo said.