In President Benigno Aquino’s last SONA, allusions to the Reproductive Rights bill got the loudest, longest ovation. This is what he said:“Sana nga po, ngayong paubos na ang backlog sa edukasyon, sikapin nating huwag uling magka-backlog dahil sa dami ng estudyante. Sa tingin ko po, responsible parenthood ang sagot dito.”
These are:
– Aquino is against abortion.
– He is in favor of giving couples the right to choose how best to manage their families so that in the end, their welfare and that of their children are best served.
– Aquino believes that the state must respect each individual’s right to follow his or her conscience and religious convictions on matters and issues pertaining to the unity of the family and the sacredness of human life from conception to natural death.
– In a situation where couples, especially the poor and disadvantaged ones, are in no position to make an informed judgment, the state has the responsibility to provide.
– In the range of options and information provided to couples, natural family planning and modern methods shall be presented as equally available, Aquino said.
Compromise
Yet, this year, clear signs of trouble loomed for the RH Bill. This was RG Cruz’s report in September, with a subheadline quoting Majority Floorleader Neptali Gonzales as saying “sana magalit na si Presidente” (I hope the President gets mad) so allies finally push the bill.
MANILA – President Aquino finds it difficult to push the Reproductive Health (RH) bill among his congressional allies the same way he pushed for the impeachment of Chief Justice Renato Corona.
Aquino’s political leaders in the House of Representatives concede that the President has to contend with the religious beliefs of his own allies for this purpose.
House Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales said, “mahirap kay Presidente to issue a marching order. The so-called opposition sa RH aren’t political in nature, it’s part of their religious belief, it’s very difficult to impose. This is one time na mahirap talaga kami. As I’ve said in my stint as floor leader, this is first time I’ve seen a bill na divided ang members of the House and no demarcation between majority and minority.”
Liberal Party secretary-general, incoming Department of Transportation and Communications Secretary and current House Appropriations chair, Cavite Rep. Joseph Emilio Aguinaldo Abaya, said Aquino “respects the independence of the 2 bodies of government, thus he merely requests. How effective is that convincing that will be is within his prerogative. If ever such strong requests are made, I think there’s time.”
Abaya added, “ang tingin ko, dinadahan din ni presidente, alam niya di lang parang impeachment ito, there are certain non-political issues he has been very careful. Sa Liberal Party, it’s always consensual, we haven’t gone to that part, what’s clear is the request that we end the debate and I think clearly, he said we will put it to a vote.”
Cruz quoted Gonzales as claiming he and Speaker Feliciano Belmonte back the RH Bill while three deputy speakers oppose it.
Despite an August cacus with Mr. Aquino where legislators pledged to terminate floor debates on the RH bill, the measure continues to languish. This, even if last October, Belmonte announced the House was pushing a new bill indicating compromise between pro and anti-RH forces.
Amendments have not been discussed. In the last few session days, many legislators stayed away, leading to a lack of quorum.
The current impasse seems to be an anti-bloc effort to evade a showdown. Cagayan Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, who is against the RH bill, challenged the pro-bloc to come up with a quorum.
“If they can do that, then we can tackle and debate the amendments line by line, sentence by sentence, paragraph by paragraph, section by section. That will take us till kingdom come.”
Gonzales was still saying he wished the President would get mad and call another meeting. By that time, Pangasinan Rep. Kimi Cojuangco, an RH bill advocate, was running out of patience.
Cojuangco, who is very visible on the social network site, Twitter, posted:
So for those that keep asking me when are we going to take up amendments #RHBILL, I dont know! Only MFL knows
She reminded Gonzales of his responsibility as a House leader:
kimi cojuangco @kimicojuangco
MFL Boyet Gonzales, the lack of quorum only reflects your weak leadership so I challenge you get the members of HOR to appear & take up #RHB
Gonzalez, replying via reporters,
“blamed the pro-RH bill proponents for not mustering enough support for the bill. He said it is not his job to make sure that there is a quorum in the House.”
“He said it is for the proponents to make sure that they have the numbers every time the issue is tackled.”
Those are strange comments for a man who claims he is an advocate of the RH bill. Cojuangco then bared pressure for her to fall in line.
kimi cojuangco @kimicojuangcoI am told just keep quiet play ball…i am told you might sabotage bill…ok so am I supposed 2 b silent while YOU dribble till eternity?
Gonzalez would later taunt Cojuangco to “shut up.”
Since I was told to keep my mouth shut,now you will all hear the truth. 1.last week I sat w/ MFL & asked him to tell me the truth.
2. I started by saying; I am tired of fighting to death. I go to every single interview and do what I can to get this bill passed. So I
3.pleaded w/ him to please tell me the truth. Well, this is what he told me “wala na yan;forget the RHBILL. If ever baka 16th congress
4. nalang,We can just repackage it.”I was flabbergasted and said so why are you leading Manong Edcel along?Why are you saying something diff
5. in front of Speaker Belmonte?I can’t accept this!!!! So this is what enraged me and I kept this to myself for a few days but decided
6. yesterday that I couldnt handle this kind of blatant politicking anymore.No way will I keep quiet.We were all being brought
7. for a “ride” by such trapo style politics. So there, the truth is out.
Either they may believe in RH but do not want to incur the wrath of the country’s powerful Catholic bishops. Or they fear a backlash among voters who may resent votes against the RH bill.
82% say family planning method is a personal choice;
73% want information on legal methods available from government
Considering that majority of the survey respondents may be Catholics — SWS usually hews to existing demographics — the bishop fear factor isn’t the main cause of absenteeism. It looks like evasion is the choice strategy of the anti-RH bloc. The question is, why can’t the House leadership force a vote and why can’t the Executive help force that vote — as it has with the President’s met causes, like the impeachment of former chief justice Renato Corona?
High growth, glowing praise from investors, commendations from allied nations and global partners. The government has all of these. But in the elections, what voters will remember is this: Did you respond to my needs? Did you vote/act against my needs?
Miracles can happen. But if this bill dies, here’s a prescription from a Facebook friend who doesn’t want to be named because she works for an anti-RH bill senator:
“Time for the pro-RH bill advocates to wield the big stick. If this bill dies, hit the killers where it will really hurt.”
indayvarona 