Lawmaker confident RH bill will not prosper

MANILA, Philippines - The controversial Reproductive Health bill will not get the thumbs up from the Lower House as majority of the House's 238 members have expressed their opposition to the bill, a lawmaker said on Monday. In an interview with GMANews.TV, Parañaque Rep. Eduardo Zialcita, chair of the House's pro-life caucus, said they are confident the measure will not be passed on second reading as "more than 120" lawmakers have said they are against the bill. "More than 120 are now with us. We're confident that the RH bill will not pass," said Zialcita, adding that some have expressed their support in writing while some did so through conversations. House Speaker Prospero Nograles had earlier said he wants several pertinent measures, including the RH bill, settled before the Christmas break. But Zialcita expressed doubts that the bill would be put to a vote before session adjourns for the holidays on December 20. "The debates cannot end because there are 30 more people who want to interpellate," said Zialcita. "The more debates, the better for us because they will understand our position much better," he added. The favorable vote of 120 lawmakers is needed for the RH bill to get approved on second reading. So far, the RH bill has 113 co-authors. Akbayan Rep. Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel, one of the bill's most vocal co-authors, said she believes the bill is aptly supported in the House but said they need more time to gain more supporters. "113 na kami, and I believe we have enough backers. But we're running versus time," Baraquel said in a text message to GMANews.TV. The RH bill has been widely hit by some Catholic church groups, particularly the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), which slammed controversial provisions such as the mandatory teaching of reproductive health education starting Grade 5 and the promotion of both traditional and artificial contraceptives, including condoms and birth control pills. The CBCP has said three weeks ago that they are open to a dialogue with congressmen regarding the measure. The bill's primary author, Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, welcomed the initiative and said he is willing to discuss with the bishops the bill's salient features but said he would not compromise on provisions like the mandatory age-appropriate sexual education and promotion of different forms of contraception. - GMANews.TV