Proponent urges immediate voting on RH bill

MANILA, Philippines – A legislator advocating the controversial Reproductive Health bill today reiterated his call for members of House of Representatives to end the debate and start the voting on the measure.

Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman also called on Speaker Feliciano Belmonte to come out with the rules of engagement to facilitate and end the debate.

"There are no new arguments from the anti-RH congressmen. Paulit-ulit lang ang sinasabi. Tapusin na natin ang debate at pagbotohan na ito," Lagman said.

He also added that the Catholic Church has been as aggressive in campaigning in Congress not pass the measure.

"Ang Simbahan ay masigasig din para hindi maipasa ito. At alam natin na gumagapang yan pababa," the Albay congressman said.

"Kahit siguro ang matira sa bill at period o comma, tutulol pa rin ang Simbahan," he added.

He said the Speaker should also set a date for the voting.

Lagman said the bill has more than enough supporters in Congress to pass the measure.

For her part, Dr. Junice Melgar, an RH bill advocate, said she hopes that Congress passes the bill before the Christmas break.

"Maybe there should be more drastic action from our citizens to force our legislators to pass the bill," she said.