Aircon problem defers House debate on RH bill

(Updated 11:59 p.m.) The debate on the controversial Reproductive Health (RH) bill at the House of Representatives became too hot to handle even before it began. The House leadership decided to cancel sessions on Tuesday due to problems in the building’s air-conditioning system. The lawmakers were supposed to start the debate on the reproductive health bill. “Sessions are suspended this afternoon due to breakdown of the air-conditioning system of the House. Repairs are on-going to restore the system as soon as possible," House Secretary General Marilyn Yap said in a text message Tuesday. House Majority Floor Leader Neptali Gonzales, in consultation with Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. and Minority Leader Edcel Lagman, moved to adjourn the sessions on Tuesday afternoon, citing the problem with air-conditioning in the building. Gonzales, who also heads the House committee on rules, said the plenary debates on the RH bill will be rescheduled for Wednesday. Lagman, one of the proponents of the controversial measure in the lower chamber, called the glitch a “fortuitous delay" in procedures to pass the RH bill, but urged its supporters to continue fighting for its passage. “This temporary setback of only one day should spur RH advocates to continue surmounting all supervening obstacles," he said in a statement Tuesday. A majority of all House members is needed to pass the RH bill at the lower chamber and for it to be transmitted to the Senate. RH Bill support Meanwhile, members of a workers' group and various women’s organizations trooped to the House of Representatives to support pro-RH Bill congressmen and congresswomen as the plenary debate on the measure began on Tuesday. Hundreds of women and men from Partido Manggagawa (PM) and various women’s groups occupied a portion of the House session hall gallery to show their support to the bill. “As leaders of the Catholic Church hierarchy continue to put pressure on our legislatures, poor and working women, on the other hand, shall be their pillar of support until the RH bill is enacted," said PM Secretary General Judy Ann Chan-Miranda. “The passage of the RH bill has long been overdue. The Catholic Church’s doctrine and misinformation on reliable modern artificial contraceptives did not prove effective in preventing [maternal] deaths. Whereas family planning, skilled birth attendants, and basic and emergency obstetric care have been proven effective. We sincerely hope that the bishops and priests will equally value women’s lives." “Kung maipapasa ang RH bill sa House ngayong Marso, napakagandang regalo ito sa kababaihan since we are celebrating the 100th year of International Women’s Day this year," said Miranda. On March 4, the PM will hold an assembly of women workers for the RH bill and other working women’s issues in preparation for the celebration of International Women’s Day on March 8. Women groups and PM promised to mobilize daily if necessary to show that the RH bill does not only have the number inside the halls of Congress but also in the gallery and at the gates of both the Senate and the House of Representatives. Meanwhile, the Catholic Church has maintained its stance against the RH Bill, which allows artificial methods of family planning that may lead to abortion. Catholic bishops only supports natural family planning methods. [See story, Catholic bishops: Our stand on the RH Bill is like EDSA 1] — Andreo Calonzo, with a report by Jerbert Briola/KBK/LBG/PE/VS, GMA News