House ends debates on RH bill.

By Carmela Fonbuena
August 6, 2012

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATE) – Despite objections, the House of Representatives on Monday, August 6, voted to terminate debates on House Bill 4244, better known as the Reproductive Health bill, raising the chance of the controversial measure being passed in the current 15th Congress.

It was an ayes and nayes votes, with the majority agreeing to terminate the debates at around 6 p.m. This means RH bill will proceed to the period of amendments, the more difficult stage of the legislative process.

“It’s one step forward. It’s a procedural thing, to end the period of interpellation and debate and to give a chance for people offering amendments to be heard as well. If we just go on – there are 25 more people who want to interpellate – it will go on until our term is over,” said House Speaker Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte, who declared when the session resumed in July that he will put the RH bill to a vote.

“We just transit from one part of the whole proceeding to another. It’s still not a vote on the merits,” he added.

Read full article @ www.rappler.com

Human Rights Online Philippines does not hold copyright over these materials. Author/s and original source/s of information are retained including the URL contained within the tagline and byline of the articles, news information, photos etc.