Cayetano defends RH bill

Senators Vicente Sotto III and Pia Cayetano continue to oppose each other on the issue of the reproductive health bill. The former insisting that the bill is merely a duplication of other existing laws, and the latter saying that Sotto's argument is not a sufficient reason not to pass the law.

Senate majority leader Vicente Sotto III had argued that the RH bill is simply a repetition of a number of provisions in existing laws particularly the Republic Act 9710 or the Magna Carta of Women.

Cayetano defended, "The Magna Carta speaks of many rights of women, and only one of which pertains to reproductive health. There are laws that address many issues in RH, but none of these laws are specific to RH the way (the RH bill) is intended to be."

She said, "The necessity of this bill is made obvious by the different policies being implemented and the non-existence of RH policies in many LGUs."

She cited several cases where LGUs have implemented or banned the use of contraceptives in some areas.

Cayetano noted the case of Barangay Ayala-Alabang where an ordinance was proposed for the restriction of the use of contraceptives.

She also mentioned the case of the City of Manila where that bans contraceptives. In contrast, she also mentioned the successful implementation of a local RH policy in Tagum in Davao del Norte.

Cayetano, however, gave her assurance that she is open to amendments from the critics of the bill so it could be improved. — ARA