Anti-RH Bill solons want stiffer penalties for abortion

Lawmakers opposing the controversial Reproductive Health Bill yesterday called on the House leadership to immediately pass a measure imposing stiffer penalties against abortion.

Manila Rep. Amado Bagatsing, principal author of House Bill 3667, expressed optimism the bill will be supported by solons who have been blocking the House Bill 4244 or the reproductive health proposal.

A staunch anti-RH Bill oppositor, Bagatsing sought the imposition of a maximum 12 years imprisonment for abortion practiced by a physician or any medical professional.

A pharmacist who sells or dispense of abortive drugs will also suffer the same penalty and a P100,000 fine.

The bill also classifies abortifacients as a prohibited drug, defining an abortifacient as any device, drug, formulation, substance practice or procedure that may damage, interfere, injure the development or cause the death of the unborn child.

“This term will include any formulation, substances, drugs or herbs which if injected or ingested induces abortion,” Bagatsing said.

To be known as the New Anti-Abortion Act of 2010, HB 3667 seeks to impose life imprisonment on persons found guilty of using violence to intentionally abort pregnancy of a woman.

Under the Revised Penal Code, such act is punishable with a maximum 17 to 20 years imprisonment.

If no violence is used but yet abortion was still carried out, the penalty will be increased from 12 years imprisonment to 20 years.

A maximum 12 years incarceration has been recommended by Bagatsing in case intentional abortion has been consented to by the pregnant woman.

HB 3667 proposes a six to 12 years prison sentence for abortion practiced by the woman or by her parents.

“Many incidents of abortions have been reported lately. Fetuses have been found in garbage cans, thrown and abandoned by their mothers only to be discovered by unknown and concerned citizens and reported by the media,” Bagatsing said.

He lamented that some aborted fetuses are not even discovered to be “left sadly in the confines of anonymity.”

“These fetuses are the unwanted and uncared for unborn babies who have been wantonly murdered to hide the shame of their mothers,” Bagatsing explained.

Bagatsing said the bill will impose heavier penalties for abortive acts, aiming further to establish a system for monitoring and reporting of cases of abortion to strengthen the prosecution.

“Considering the lack of sensitivity and utter callousness of the persons committing these grievous acts against helpless and innocent lives necessitating the immediate action of the Lower House, I believe the bill should be approved immediately,” Bagatsing said. –Charlie V. Manalo, Daily Tribune