How to nearly kill a bill

They’re killing a bill, or beginning to kill it by manipulation. This is the gist of the media statement of Roberto M. Ador, executive director of the Philippine Legislators‚ Committee on Population and Development Foundation, Inc. (PLCPD). The statement talks about how some members of Congress are employing technical tactics that would eventually mutilate the body of the Reproductive Health Care Act or HB4110.

As Ador reports it, an "indication of connivance" among members of the opposition to HB4110 surfaced during the appropriations committee hearing to discuss the bill’s budget that was supposed to happen January 13. Committee on Health Chairman Antonio Yapha, who was supposed to defend the bill during the deliberations, had left a letter saying that he will not represent the Committee in any hearing on the bill. However, without designating any of his vice-chairpersons to defend the bill before said committee, a technicality on the proceedings was raised by the opposition.

The Reproductive Health Care Act was approved at the level of the Health Committee by a vote of 17-10 last Oct. 7, 2003. Legislators and pro-life groups have interpreted the bill as favoring abortion. But intelligent reading of the bill will show that it does not promote abortion at all, as abortion is unconstitutional. But those opposing it have been reading between the lines and are out to kill the bill.

Says Ador: "The anti-choice camp is now gloating over the decision of Committee on Appropriations Chair Rolando Andaya to defer discussions on the budgetary requirements of the bill, boasting that it was junked. But the reality is that there was collusion between Representative Yapha and Health Committee Secretary Erlinda Loja to transmit an imperfect document."

As a standard procedure, a committee report should contain the signature of the chairman (Yapha) or the committee secretary (Loja). Appropriations Chair Andaya, found out that only a health committee staff signed the bill’s committee report.

Representative Emilio C. Macias II, one of the bill’s two authors who were present during the budget hearing, expressed indignation over the way the proceedings were held. He said that even if some of the members of the Committee on Health are opposed to the bill, they should "not mutilate the body of this bill."

Ador reports that top officials of the PLCPD, led by Rep. Bellaflor Angara-Castillo, majority of whom support the bill, decried the recent scheming to put down the proposed measure. They said that it is "a clear violation of the human right to a good quality of life and the right to choose." They expressed continued determination to fight for the bill’s passage despite the persistent manipulative moves of the opposing groups.

Representative Yapha should handle the bill fairly, say the bill supporters, "by designating a representative from the committee to stand for the bills deliberations to ensure that it undergoes the proper procedure that other bills have undergone."

The political circus that we are witnessing every day especially with the nearing presidential election is the theme of a hilarious, wacky, irreverent stage production scheduled to be shown at the Music Museum on January 28, 29,30, 31, and February 1, 2 and 3.

Electile Dysfunction‚ a production of Jack B. Nimble and In Focus Production and directed by Leo Ralp, is rambunctious romp over the colorful, showbizzy and circus-type political scene. It takes a dig at the presidentiables and their oft-repeated promises, and is a rib-tickling revue of political characters who will lead this country to heaven or hell.

Impersonators of today’s politicians are Boboy Garovillo, Nonie Buencamino, Robie Guevarra, Patricia Ysmael, Dyorde Javier, Charee Arespacochaga and Raul Montessa. TV personality Boy Abunda will play God. A special feature will be Jon Santos’ portrayal of six new characters.

The show is presented by Rotary Makati West, Ateneo High School ’79 Foundation, Pikit Refugee Center, PETES-ITFT, and Assumption High School ’78.

Tickets will be available at Music Museum and Ticketworld outlets.

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