RH sparks expected anew as bill enters period of amendments at Lower House


By: Lira Dalangin-Fernandez, InterAksyon.com

August 14, 2012 8:02 AM



MANILA, Philippines - The face-off between the pro- and anti-Reproductive Health (RH) bill advocates resumes at the House of Representatives as the measure goes through the period of amendments Tuesday.InterAksyon.com

The online news portal of TV5
Kabataan partylist Representative Raymond Palatino shared a text message he received from the House leadership informing them that the period of amendment begins when the chamber convenes session at 4 p.m.
“Your attendance at plenary is requested,” the message sent to lawmakers said. 
Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II confirmed Tuesday’s schedule. He also said that two panels may also be formed to serve as a working group to discuss the amendments to avert a repeat of the long debates on the floor, which took almost a year.
The period of amendments came after the House terminated the debates last week. During this stage, each lawmaker may propose changes to the provisions of the bill. The approval of each amendment is subject to the vote of the entire chamber.
After the period of amendment, a committee report on the bill is finalized for voting on second and third reading.
The RH bill seeks to provide among others maternal and child health care, sex education at the appropriate age, and access to natural and artificial family planning methods with proper consultation with doctors.
Various versions of the RH bill has been filed since the 12th Congress, but they failed to hurdle the debates because of staunch resistance from the Catholic church.

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