MANILA, Philippines — Health authorities have asked the House of Representatives to consult international medical experts before acting on a bill that seeks to impose stiffer penalties on abortion and widen the scope of prohibited acts.
A Department of Health (DoH) source said “abortifacient” as defined in House Bill 3667 could render the controversial reproductive health bill worthless because certain contraceptives might be included among the substances to be prohibited.
During a hearing conducted by the House Committee on Health, representatives from the DoH said resource persons from the World Health Organization and the Food and Drug Administration should be consulted on drugs and contraceptives that might be considered abortifacients.
Authored by Manila Rep. Amado S. Bagatsing, HB 3667 defines abortifacient as “any device, drug, formulation, substance, practice or procedure which is intended to damage, injure or interfere with the development, endanger or cause the death of the unborn child from fertilization/conception or otherwise induce abortion and cause the expulsion or death of the unborn child.”
The bill seeks to impose life imprisonment on a woman who practices abortion on herself. Parents who help or prod their daughters to abort pregnancy will suffer the same penalty.
Lawmakers who are against the controversial reproductive health bill Sunday are pushing for the immediate passage of a measure.
Bagatsing said he is confident 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 dispenses abortive drugs will also suffer the same penalty and a P100,000 fine.
Under the bill, abortifacients will be classified as a prohibited drug. –BEN R. ROSARIO, Manila Bulletin
September 18 –
International Equal Pay Day
“Increase wages now,
more than other cost items.
For widespread, practical equality!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO Constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar
to carry out the recommendations of the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry
against serious violations of protocols of
Forced Labour and Freedom of Association.
Accept the National Unity Government (NUG)
of Myanmar. Reject Military!
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September –
5 Sept – Intl Day of Charity
7 Sept – Intl Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies
8 Sept – International Literacy Day
12 Sept – United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation
15 Sept – International Day of Democracy
16 Sept – International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer
17 Sept – World Patient Safety Day
18 Sept – International Equal Pay Day
21 Sept – International Day of Peace
26 Sept – International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons
27 Sept – World Tourism Day
28 Sept – International Day for Universal Access to Information
29 Sept – International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste
30 Sept – World Maritime Day
Monthly Observances:
Health, Safety and Sanitation Month
National Clean-up Month
Civil Service Month
National Peace Consciousness Month
Social Security Month
Rule of Law Month
National Teachers’ Month (Sept 5-Oct 4)
Weekly Observances:
Sept 17 – 23:
World Clean and Green Week
Week 2: Education Week
Week 4: Medicine Week
Last Week: National Family Week
Daily Observances:
Third Saturday:
International Coastal Clean-up Day
Third Monday: World Health Day
Last Friday: National Maritime Day
Sept 8: National Literacy Day
Sept 15: Philippine Medicine Day
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