RH Bill eases out — solons

The controversial Reproductive Health (RH) Bill is losing its authors even as its proponents say that it is being endorsed by more than 100 lawmakers.

According to Paranaque Rep. Roilo Golez the RH bill records show that there are only 49 lawmakers endorsing the bill which should have been tackled in the House committee on health rather than the House committee on population.

“From my check of the records, the RH Bill (House Bill 96) has only 46 authors. It’s a far cry from the more than 100 than the RH author was boasting of in the last Congress. Looks like most of the previous co-authors are gone,” Golez said.

Reacting to a statement made by former United States President Bill Clinton that a bigger population is a positive sign of growth, Golez said that pro-contraceptive advocates refuse to understand that people, children and babies are assets and not liabilities. Clinton was in Manila for a speaking engagement at the Manila Hotel.

“Obviously, Clinton can see and understand what pro contraceptives people refuse to see: That our people, our children and our babies, present and future, are assets and not liabilities.” Golez said.

The Paranaque lawmaker also questioned the attempt by the RH Bill proponents to submit the issue to a plebiscite.

“Perhaps, that’s the reason why they are already talking of submitting the issue to a plebiscite. They lack the numbers in the House. Frankly, I don’t know how a non-constitutional amendment can be the subject of a plebiscite, but if they can find a formula, I welcome a general public debate on the issue in every corner of the land,” he said.

Golez maintained that the RH Bill, which is primarily a health bill, should be taken up by the committee on health and not by the committee on population.

“The other question is: why is the RH bill, primarily a health bill, in the committee on population and not in the committee on health, when the author has been repeatedly saying that it is not a population control measure but to save lives? Are they afraid of the many doctors and medical practitioners ready to come out to talk about the health hazards of contraceptives which even a WHO study claims may be carcinogenic?” Golez asked.

Earlier, a member of the Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development Foundation, Inc. disclosed that there is big lobby money in the RH Bill. According to the lawmaker, the PLCPD which is the main proponent and lobbyist for the bill, has been giving out fat allowances to its members apparently in exchange for their support for the passage of the controversial bill.

Meanwhile, former President Arroyo has joined Golez in a bill that seeks to protect the unborn children.

Mrs. Arroyo, now a representative from Pampanga, has registered as co-author of House Bill No. 13 or the Act Providing for the Safety and Protection of the Unborn Child which is principally being pushed by Paranaque Rep. Roilo Golez. The move could create some animosity between the principal proponent of the bill – House Minority Leader Edcel Lagman – and the former President, observers said.

Under HB No. 13, Golez wants Congress to pass a law which mandates that the unborn child should be protected from the moment of conception from all outside intervention that could be medically considered as abortive through chemicals, surgical or abdominal massage during the natural process of growth of the fertilized ovum.

The measure also considers any device, medicine, substance and practice which may damage, injure, interfere or recklessly endanger or cause the expulsion or death of the unborn child as abortifacient.

“The constitutional and natural right to life and protection of the unborn child is an absolute value and norm that cannot be repealed by ordinary legislation, not now, and not ever,” the HB No. 13 said.

The bill defines the unborn child as a child at any stage of existence and development beginning from the union of the sperm and the egg until the birth stage.

The measure said conception or fertilization, on the other hand, is defined by House Bill 13 as the precise moment that the sperm fertilizes the egg, which is when a new life is formed distinct in his or her existence and genetic make-up from both the mother and the father.

Aside from Arroyo, among those who co-authored the Golez bill was Davao City 1st District Rep. Karlo Alexei Nograles; Cebu City 1st District Rep. Rachel Marguerite del Mar; Manila 4th District Rep. Ma. Theresa Bonoan-David; Compostela Valley 1st District Maria Carmen Apsay; Marikina 1st District Rep. Marcelino Teodoro; Capiz 2nd District Rep. Jane Castro; Bacolod City Lone District Rep. Anthony Golez; Mandaluyong Lone District Rep. Neptali Gonzales II; Cagayan de Oro 2nd District Rep. Rufus Rodriguez; Batangas 2nd District Rep. Hermilando Mandanas; and Laguna 4th District Rep. Edgar San Luis.

Sultan Kudarat 1st District Rep. Raden Sakaluran; Buhay Party-list Reps. Irwin Tieng and Mariano Michael Velarde; Davao City 3rd District Rep. Isidro Ungab; Baguio Lone District Rep. Bernardo Vergara; Iloilo Lone District Rep. Jerry Treñas; Batangas 4th District Rep. Mark Mendoza; Quirino Lone District Rep. Carlo Cua; Marinduque Lone District Rep. Lord Allan Jay Velasco; Bagong Henerasyon Party-list Rep. Bernadette Dy; Quezon City 1st District Rep. Vincent Crisologo; and Davao Oriental 1st District Rep. Nelson Dayanghirang. –Gerry Baldo, Daily Tribune