Controversial provision on abortion deleted in Senate version of RH bill

In an effort to gain support for the reproductive health (RH) bill, Sen. Pia Cayetano on Wednesday moved to delete some of the controversial provisions in the Senate version of the measure, including the removal of a section that provides for the care of women who have undergone abortions.   "[This will] put the issue to rest and allay the fears that the RH bill will promote abortion," Cayetano said.   In particular, Cayetano sought to delete section 3 of the bill, which states: "While this Act does not amend the penal law on abortion, the government shall ensure that all women needing care for post-abortion complications shall be treated and counseled in a humane, non-judgmental and compassionate manner."   She said the new section would instead, state that, "abortion is a criminal act in accordance with existing laws."   Another section would be added to specify that, "all complications arising from pregnancy, labor, and delivery shall be treated in a humane and compassionate manner."   During Wednesday's plenary session, Cayetano began the committee amendments on Senate Bill 2865, also known as the Reproductive Health Act of 2012.   One of the major changes Cayetano sought was a change in the title of the bill, from "An Act Providing for a National Policy on Reproductive Health and Population and Development" to "An Act Providing for a National Policy on Reproductive Health and Responsible Parenthood."    President Benigno Aquino III had earlier said that he supports "responsible parenthood."   Cayetano, who chairs the Senate committee on health, also moved to delete the title of section 9 of the bill that refers to family planning supplies as "essential medicines." She said the title would be changed to "The Philippine National Drug Formulary System and Family Planning supplies."   Under the section, the following paragraph shall be inserted: "The Philippine National Drug Formulary System (PNDFS) shall be observed in selecting drugs including family planning supplies that will be included or removed from the essential drugs list in accordance with existing practice."   Sotto ends Turno En Contra   Cayetano introduced the amendments after Senate Majority Floor Leader Vicente Sotto III finished the third and last part of his Turno En Contra, where he criticized the provision in SB 2865 that mentions abortion.   In his speech, Sotto said that he was worried that individuals who want to openly practice abortion would abuse the provision.   "Kayang-kaya na nilang magsagawa ng aborsyon nang lantaran, basta maging kasabwat nila ang pasyente na kunwari ay inaagapan lang ang komplikasyon, pero ang totoo ay nagpapalaglag," he said.   "Hindi sa madumi ang isip ko, pero bakit kaya pinasukan ng probisyon sa aborsyon ang bill na ito?" he added.   Sotto had likewise criticized the section referring to contraceptives as "essential" medicines.    "Kung isasama pa natin ang mga condoms, IUDs, at iba pang uri ng contraceptives sa klasipikasyon ng pangunahing gamot, tiyak na makikihati pa ito sa kakarampot na ngang pondong nakalaan para sa mga pangunahing sakit sa bansa tulad ng heart diseases, cancer, tuberculosis at respiratory ailments," he said.    "Kapag nangyari ito, lalabas na mas binibigyan pa natin ng importansya ang pagpigil sa buhay kaysa sa pagligtas nito," he added.   Sotto also argued that the bill was "anti-poor," and said the Philippines is not overpopulated.   "Kontra-mahirap ang bill na ito dahil hinahangad nitong bawasan ang bilang ng mga anak ng mahihirap na pamilya para lutasin ang problema sa kahirapan," he said.   Sotto said he was not against the passage of a bill that would provide health care services to the public, but added that there are already laws and programs in place to address these issues.   He specifically cited Republic Act 9710 or the Magna Carta for Women, RA 9262 (Anti-Violence against Women and Children), RA 8504 (Philippine AIDS Prevention and Control Act of 1998), RA 7883 (Barangay Health Workers Benefits and Incentives Acts of 1995), and RA 7875 (National Health Insurance Act of 1995) as examples of such programs.   He added that around P8 billion worth of items in the national budget is allocated for reproductive health programs.   "Kung may ganito na tayo karami, ganito kalawak, at ganito katatatag na mga batas at programa, at kung sa kasalukuyan ay mayroon na tayong bilyon-bilyong pisong ginagastos para tugunan ang suliranin sa reproductive health ng bansa, bakit kailangan pa nating magsa-batas ng RH bill?" he said. Cayetano vs. Sotto, Enrile   After Sotto finished his speech, he said Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile would conduct an interpellation.   Cayetano, however, blocked Sotto and said: "I know for a fact that the majority floor leader and our Senate president are both anti-RH so I would like to ask, what is the objective of the two of them debating?"   Sotto replied that it was "unethical" for Cayetano to "impute any motive" on what the members of the Senate would say on the floor.   Enrile was also irked at Cayetano’s statement, saying he has never been asked to state the purpose of his interpellation ever since he was elected to the Senate.   "With due respect to the lady senator, I know she’s eager to pass this law but I have my own notion of what the national interest is. Nobody has a monopoly of wisdom about the national interest," he said.   "Until today, I never used any dilatory tactics or any manner of delaying the passage of any bill [so] I resent any implication that I'm here to derail or obstruct the passage of this measure," he added.   The Senate president explained that he wanted to ask Sotto about the experience of other countries regarding reproductive health.   "Isn't that a pertinent question here to be asked, so that we will know the impact of this bill on the lives of the people of this country? I have a right as anyone else to protect them," he said.   "It is our duty as responsible people to dissect this bill no matter how unpopular our position is. [So] I resent being questioned to state my purpose. Who are you to challenge my purpose here?" he added. - YA/DVM, GMA News