Senators vote out amendments to RH bill

MANILA, Philippines - The Senate has voted out proposed amendments to the Reproductive Health (RH) bill as the chamber comes closer to approving the controversial measure on second reading.

“So it looks like we’ll be able to protect the essence of our RH bill. We’ll compromise on other amendments that do not negate the essence of the RH bill. I can smell victory in the air,” Sen. Miriam Santiago, co-author and sponsor of the bill, said.

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile introduced three of the four proposed amendments, which the chamber rejected. Sen. Ralph Recto introduced the fourth.  

Many of the 13 amendments Enrile had introduced over the past days would have effectively changed the complexion of the measure had they been approved by the Senate.

As part of the changes he wanted in the bill, Enrile said it should be clearly stated that life begins at conception or at the moment the sperm fertilizes the egg. He said the 1986 Constitutional Commission, which crafted the 1987 Constitution, had already made this clear.

The Senate president said the line: “that people are able to have a safe and satisfying sex life, that they have the capability to reproduce and the freedom to decide if, when and how often to do so” should be dropped from the measure’s explanatory note.

He also said the phrase “as well as the possibility of having pleasurable (sexual experiences)” should be removed from the bill’s definition of sexual health.

Under the bill, sexual health “requires a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships, as well as the possibility of having pleasurable and safe sexual experiences, free from coercion, discrimination and violence.”

Enrile also wanted the Department of Science and Technology to assist the Department of Health in testing and certifying as medically safe reproductive health supplies intended for free distribution.

His first two proposals were voted out 11-6 while the third got 12 negative votes as against four in favor.

Enrile’s proposed amendments were consistent with the pro-life arguments raised by fellow RH bill critic Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III. Sotto said the use of contraceptives is tantamount to killing an unborn child.

The promotion of modern family planning methods, which include artificial birth control devices alongside the natural method, is at the heart of the Senate version of the RH bill.

Access to a full range of family planning methods would be made available to everyone as proposed in the bill.

Hormonal contraceptives, intra-uterine devices, injectables and other safe, legal and effective family planning products and supplies would become part of the National Drug Formulary.

The fourth proposed amendment – raised by Recto – sought to take away provisions in the bill mandating local government units to establish or upgrade hospitals and health facilities and to ensure that they are adequately manned by qualified personnel. The amendment lost with a vote of 9-8.

So far, Recto has introduced a total of 16 amendments, 10 of which have been accepted, three lost, two withdrawn and one left hanging.