'Millions wasted as RH vote delayed'

MANILA, Philippines - A lawmaker supporting the Reproductive Health Bill on Wednesday said that the House of Representatives wastes some P50 million in each session that voting on the measure is delayed.

Pangasinan Rep. Kimi Cojuangco said in a radio interview that there is no more reason to keep on delaying voting on the RH Bill, a measure that was endorsed by President Benigno Aquino III in his state of the nation address last July.

"Fifty million [pesos] - we spend that much per day. That's what it cost [when we delay the voting on the RH bill]. This is really a disservice to the nation, we could be saving so many lives. What I'm saying is that the budget per year of the House of Representatives, we spend P50 million a day per session for every crazy delay that goes on," Cojuangco said.

The RH Bill, which has been pending in Congress, for 14 years is opposed by the Catholic church for allegedly promoting abortion to address the swelling Philippine population.

Muntinlupa Rep. Rodolfo Biazon has also slammed some of his colleagues for delaying voting on the RH Bill. He dismissed perceptions that the nation is still not ready or mature to discuss the RH Bill.

Cojuangco added that she would keep on supporting the RH Bill because her constituents need and support the measure.

"Hindi pro-abortion ang RH Bill kundi isang paraan ng pagpaplano ng pamilya. The RH Bill is a law-abiding measure. The FDA has approved the sale of contraceptives in any drug store," Cojuangco said.

On August 6, the House of Representatives voted to end the debate and begin the period of amendment on House Bill 4244 or the The Responsible Parenthood, Reproductive Health And Population And Development Act Of 2011.

However, House members opposing the bill vowed that they would fight the passage of the House Bill 4224 or the consolidated version of six RH measures.

The period of debates on the Senate version of the bill, Senate Bill 2865 (Reproductive Health Act of 2011), has also ended.