MANILA, Philippines - Seventeen months after the reproductive health (RH) bill was filed and 15 months after the debates, Sen. Pia Cayetano said the measure is more than ripe for voting on third and final reading.
Cayetano, principal author and sponsor of the RH bill, said the country could no longer afford to set aside the measure.
The senator said she waited for the debates on the so-called sin tax bill to be concluded the past week to hear the proposed amendments to the RH bill so it could be approved on second reading.
However, three session days were consumed for debates on the sin tax bill.
Cayetano said she stayed on during the debates on the sin tax bill that lasted until 8 p.m., hoping that even a few minutes would be allotted for amendments to the RH bill.
“The records will bear me out that I have been very patient in accommodating the needs of every senator to give them time to interpolate and to amend the bill,” Cayetano said.
She said three senators – Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III and Sen. Ralph Recto – have manifested their intention to introduce amendments to the bill.
She said Recto assured her he would introduce his amendments after he has finished work on the sin tax bill.
Cayetano, however, expressed her disappointment with Enrile and Sotto for their delaying tactic. Sen. Miriam Santiago, co-author of the RH bill, raised the same concern.
Cayetano said Enrile stated last Monday that he was not sure when he would be ready to give his amendments while Sotto said he would wait until the others have finished.
“We can be reasonable here but when we know that we are dealing with people who have no intention of honoring the rights of women then I also have to stand up and fight for these rights,” she said.
After consulting with Santiago, Cayetano said that she would give Enrile and Sotto until Tuesday to come out with their proposed amendments.
“I think it is reasonable to give them a day and I will give them a day,” she said.
“We all know that every day that I patiently wait is one more day that this bill will be delayed. And I know, as they know, and they know whom I am talking about, their objective is not to bring this to a vote. I think every senator should be held accountable for the vote that they make for the future of every Filipina in this country,” she added.
Cayetano said the rules of the Senate allow her to make a motion to close the period of amendments. The motion will be carried if a majority of the senators agrees.
Cayetano said Enrile and Sotto have been given more than enough time to raise their issues about the bill.
She said Enrile and Sotto have taken the floor nine and 10 times, respectively, during the period of interpellations.
“Siguro naman sapat na panahon na yun. (That already may be enough time). As sponsor, I have been given the right to call the shots to set the time frame. When I said that last week or this week I’m ready, it may be well within my right to move forward and take the next steps necessary,” Cayetano said. – With Sheila Crisostomo