Outside Batasan complex, prayers and festivity for RH bill vote

Outside the Batasan complex in Quezon City, supporters and critics of the Reproductive Health (RH) bill are anticipating the House of Representatives’ vote on the measure through quite different ways.

 

The mood was solemn in front of the north gate of the Batasan Pambansa where priests, nuns, seminarians and religious groups gathered to call for the junking of the RH bill.

 

The anti-RH groups brought with them two images of the Blessed Virgin Mary and prayed the rosary while waiting for the vote on the controversial measure.

 

Before gathering in front of the Batasan building, the anti-RH forces heard Holy Mass at the St. Peter’s Parish along Commonwealth Avenue, facilitated by Lipa Archbishop Ramon Arguelles.

 

About 20 anti-RH bill lawmakers—including Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, Zambales Rep. Milagros Magsaysay, Manila Rep. Amado Bagatsing and Leyte Rep. Lucy Torres—attended the Holy Mass and marched with the religious groups towards the Batasan building.

 

Antipolo Bishop Gabriel Reyes, who was among the Roman Catholic Church officials, said they just want a “conscience vote” on the measure.

 

“We are here to give them moral support. Surely meron talagang pressure. Mananalo talaga kung hindi babrasuhin ng Presidente,” Reyes told reporters upon arrival at the Batasan complex.

 

He added that he is “very hopeful” that a majority of House members will reject the RH bill.

 

The Roman Catholic Church, which promotes only natural birth control methods, opposes the RH bill since it allocates government resources for the procurement of artificial contraceptives.

 

The House is scheduled to determine on Wednesday afternoon if the RH bill will pass second reading or not. 

 

‘Historic vote’

 

In contrast, pro-RH bill groups anticipated the House vote on the measure with loud festivities.

 

Purple-clad members of civil society groups assembled in front of the south gate of the Batasan Pambansa, complete with drums and loud speakers, which boomed with lively music such as Queen’s “We Will Rock You.”

 

The RH supporters also built a makeshift stage, decorated with purple lanterns, where some civil society leaders delivered speeches in support of the controversial measure.

 

Rom Dongeto, Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development executive director, said his group expecting a favorable decision on the RH bill.

 

"We will be keeping an eye on the plenary session and we are expecting a historic vote for the enactment of the RH bill before the Christmas break," he said.

 

He added that he hopes anti-RH bill lawmakers will stop “dilatory tactics” so that the measure can be immediately passed into law.

 

Some House members are still introducing individual amendments to the RH bill as of posting time. — RSJ, GMA News