Senate third Public Hearing on Reproductive Health Bill

The third public hearing is expected to bring more feedback from other pro-RH groups. Expected at the hearing are Former Sec Cabral, Sen Vicente Paterno, Dr. Corazon Raymundo of the Institute of Maternal and Child care, Eric Manalang and many others.

Objections from the pro-life group erupted when Beth Angsioco read a CBCP-endorsed book: training manual for pastoral workers on HIV/AIDS which ecommends use of condoms for HIV-discordant couples. The book has foreword by Arch. Lagdameo, then CBCP head and published in 2007. Their objection was because of Sen Pia Cayetano’s ruling that experts can only state scientific facts but Sen Cayetano wanted to hear this.

Technical working groups headed by Atty. Bing Gunzon are scheduled on February 17, 21, 24, 28 all at 1:00 PM.

Senator Cayetano also informed me that she intends to continue RH hearing despite Pnoy’s withdrawing it from his priority bills. In an interview with GMA 7, she added that the withdrawal of the RH bill from the Palace’s legislative priorities indicates an “indecisive” leadership.

Today is also the President’s 51st birthday. I pray he gets enlightened and thinks of the women in the poor communities that want quality of life.

Here are the varied reactions on twitter on the RH Bill.