House panel starts tackling controversial RH bill

The battle on the approval of Reproductive Health bill started in the House of Representatives Wednesday. At the start of the hearing, lawmakers questioned the referral of the bill to the House population committee, headed by Biliran Rep. Rogelio Espina. Cebu Rep. Pablo Garcia said the bill should be with the House health committee as it seeks to provide reproductive health services. He said Espina should consider hearing the bill jointly with the committees on health, women and poverty alleviation. “Why should we say now that the principal subject matter is population? The author of the bill and the bill itself says that the principal subject matter is reproductive health… This transfer of referral was premeditated," Garcia said. Espina, for his part, said no one objected when the RH bill was referred to his committee. He said he would refer the request to the House rules committee, which will decide on the matter. Paranaque Rep. Roilo Golez, author of House Bill 13 and a pro-life advocate, supported Garcia, saying the referral of the RH bill is crucial as it might affect the decision on the bill. Show of force Supporters of the RH bill and its oppositors such as members of different Church organizations trooped to the House as early as 9 a.m. Some members of the audience wore pins that say “I love Life," while others were seen praying the rosary while the hearing was ongoing Members of the Apostles of Mary, Catholic Youth League of the Philippines, Legion of Mary, Knights of our Lady went to the hearing carrying an image of St. Joseph, whom they said is the patron of the universal Church and patron and protector of the family. Renel Pena, a member of Apostles of Mary, said they joined a rosary crusade against RH bill because they believed it will usher in the total destruction of the moral and families in the country. After hearing the presentation of the advocates and supporters of the bill, Espina scheduled the next hearing on December 1, 9:30 am at the rooms 1 and 2 of the HOR’s Mitra building. - KBK, GMANews.TV