Lawmaker warns anti-RH camp of electoral punishment

AN AUTHOR of the proposed reproductive health (RH) law warned the anti-RH forces of electoral punishment if they would further delay discussions on the highly divisive measure.

Lawmakers opposed to the passage of the bill in the House of Representatives managed to delay the period of amendments early this week by delivering long speeches during the plenary session.

"There are many procedures to cut off filibustering. We'll use them. We'll make sure the public is mobilized fully so that the obstructionists will face electoral punishment," Akbayan party-list Representative Walden Bello said in a text message.

The so-called Catholic vote are said to sway some lawmakers in voting against the proposed RH law especially with the 2013 midterm elections just nine months away.

"I hope they come to their senses and listen to the Filipino people instead of those primeval ecclesiastics. But we'll overcome their tricks, I assure you," he added.

The anti-RH camp, however, said it was the pro-RH group who were delaying the period of amendments because they could not maintain a quorum.

Albay Representative Edcel Lagman, the main proponent of the RH bill urged the House leadership to fix a timetable for the consideration of the measure as it has set a schedule for the approval of the General Appropriations Bill.

"The RH and budget bills are interrelated since no amount of appropriations for social services and sustainable human development are adequate if the problem of population is not addressed," he said.

Both the pro-RH and anti-RH camps will face off again when session resumes on August 28. (Kathrina Alvarez/Sunnex)