Pacquiao to defend anti-RH bill stance in House plenary

Sarangani Representative and boxing champion Manny Pacquiao is likely to take the floor when the House of Representatives resume plenary debates on the controversial Reproductive Health measure Wednesday afternoon. Iloilo Rep. Janet Garin told GMA News Online that Pacquiao will most likely open interpellations on the floor when plenary debates begin around 5 p.m. "It's his prerogative and it is his right to interpellate. That's good para marinig namin ang hinaing niya tungkol sa bill," Garin said. Garin added Pacquiao was supposed to interpellate on Tuesday but requested to take the floor Wednesday. "Gusto pa niya ng more time to prepare [He requested more time to prepare]," she said. Garin said she was expecting to have a "healthy debate" when session starts later and emphasized that pro-RH bill lawmakers are open to further amendments in the measure. House Minority Leader Edcel Lagman said Pacquiao asked to interpellate after Cebu Rep. Pablo Garcia. Around 38 lawmakers who are opposed to the RH bill are expected to interpellate. Pacquiao was met with criticisms for his stand on the RH bill, particularly from Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago who even challenged him to a boxing match. Santiago threw verbal jabs at Pacquiao for supporting the Church in its campaign against the Reproductive Health bill. On Tuesday, Pacquiao dropped by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) office in Manila for a luncheon with religious officials to explain why he was not supporting the measure. Pacquiao caused some stir on Monday's episode of GMA News TV's State of the Nation Address when he expressed support for the bill, even when his wife Jinkee earlier admitted that she used contraceptives after she gave birth to their youngest daughter, Queenie. But on the sidelines of a guest appearance on GMA News TV on Tuesday, Pacquiao clarified that his wife has already stopped using pills and that she still considers herself a pro-life advocate. — Mark Merueñas/RSJ, GMA News