House leadership wants test vote on RH bill

Leaders of the House of Representatives are eyeing a test vote on the controversial Reproductive Health (RH) bill in the coming weeks to determine if the measure has chances of being passed.

 

On Tuesday, House Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II said he and Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. are exploring the possibility of a vote on whether or not to terminate debates on the RH bill, formally known as House Bill 4244, before sessions adjourn on March 21.

 

“Alam naman natin na several hours na ang nai-devote natin sa interpellations. Kakausapin namin ang main protagonists to set a definite date when there will be a motion to terminate the period of debate,” Gonzales said at a press briefing.

 

The House leader added that if majority of House members will agree to end the RH debates, the chances of the passage of the measure will definitely increase.

 

“Magkakaalaman na kung sino talaga ang may boto. If mananalo ang termination, may pag-asa pang pumasa ito,” he said.

 

He admitted, however, that the House may have to abandon the RH bill if most lawmakers will vote to continue the interpellations.

 

“If matalo, alam niyo nang wala nang mangyayari sa RH. I’m just being straightforward about it. Kung ganoon, we’ll just have to devote our time to other bills,” he said.

 

HB 4244, which endorses both natural and artificial modes of family planning, has been pending second reading at the House for seven months now. It is being opposed by the Roman Catholic Church, which promotes only natural family planning.

 

More than 20 lawmakers are still lined up on the list of interpellators, Gonzales said. — RSJ, GMA News