P-Noy certifies RH bill as urgent

MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III on Friday certified as urgent the controversial Reproductive Health (RH) bill, which has been pending for 14 years in Congress.

Aquino gave the go-signal for the immediate passage of the controversial contraceptive measure before the House of Representatives and the Senate go on a Christmas break.

Reacting to the news, Sen. Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III said that the purpose of the controversial bill could not be justified as urgent. He said that the president's move may raise a constitutional issue.

Through her Twitter account, former Akbayan party-list representative Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel relayed the news to artist Jim Paredes. Baraquel and the artist are staunch supporters of the controversial bill.

"Want to remember your favorite things, so you won't feel so bad? Pres Noy certified the RH bill as urgent last night! (",) @Jimparedes," Baraquel said.

Voting 113-104, the House of Representatives passed on second reading House Bill 4244 or The Responsible Parenthood, Reproductive Health And Population And Development Act after an overnight deliberation on Thursday.

The House was expected to vote on the bill on third and final reading when it resumes session on Monday at 4 p.m.

The result of House's voting may still change on Monday because more than 60 congressmen failed to participate in the process, which lasted from Wednesday night up to past 2 a.m. Thursday.

The Senate, meanwhile, has yet to finish the period of amendments and put the measure to a vote on second reading.

Sen. Vicente Sotto III had been quoted as saying that the Senate is just waiting for the outcome of the voting at the House before passing the controversial bill.

On Wednesday, the Senate agreed to insert Sen. Ralph Recto's proposed amendment, removing a provision on Senate Bill 2865 or An Act Providing for a National Policy on Reproductive Health and Responsible Parenthood.

Recto's proposed amendment disallows the minors' access to contraceptives.

The senators agreed that minors should get written consent from their parents before they are provided with contraceptives. - Dennis Carcamo