Pia Cayetano asks Senate to finish RH debates

Senator Pia Cayetano on Thursday asked the Senate to close the period of interpellation and move on to the period of amendments when the chamber resumes tackling the controversial Reproductive Health (RH) bill. “In the last three months, the RH bill sponsors have been able to clarify various points that were raised against the bill, including the myths and misconceptions being spread by some critics," said Cayetano, head of the committee on health and demography, in a statement. Cayetano, co-sponsor of Senate Bill No. 2865 or The Reproductive Health Act of 2011, and Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago, principal author, are in charge of answering all questions related to the proposed measure. Cayetano said they have been patient in accommodating the questions posed by their colleagues. The last debate on the bill was held last week. Among those who had interpellated were Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, Senate Majority Floor Leader Vicente Sotto III, and senators Ralph Recto and Lito Lapid. “The Senate records will bear out that they are the only ones who keep taking the floor and we have accommodated them every single time," said Cayetano, noting that none of the other senators have anymore questions. “In fact, in the last three session days before the Senate went on break [October 10, 11 and 12], the RH bill wasn’t event tackled because none of the interpellators, including Senators Sotto and Enrile, took the floor despite our being ready," she said. “And since there are no other interpellators left, it only means it’s time to close the period of interpellations and proceed to the period of amendments," she added. During the period for amendments, Cayetano promised to take into consideration all of the issues raised by the interpellators. “Unfortunately, we can only start accepting amendments if and when we close the period of interpellations and proceed to the period of amendment. I believe that time has come," she said. Sotto, however, was not in favor of Cayetano’s suggestion. “She is wrong," Sotto said in a text message. “Many interpellations lined up pa. If she moves to close the period of interpellation, she will lose the vote." Enrile had earlier said that they still have questions regarding the RH bill. He also said that the RH debate may have to be postponed to next year to give way to the other priorities of the chamber. - KBK, GMA News