On Privilege Speeches and Delaying the RH Bill

Sec. 101. Questions of privilege are those affecting the duties, conduct, rights, privileges, dignity, integrity or reputation of the House or of its Members, individually or collectively.

These questions of privileges are being utilized to delay the proceedings as these takes the third highest precedence (Sec 97 of House Rules).

Representative Garin of Iloilo raised a point of order regarding this saying that such privileges are being utilized to delay the bill. She argues that such is a privilege and not a right as the other Congressmen claims. The Presiding Officer Representative Remulla denied Garin’s appeal. Although this is debatable and I am no legislator nor a lawyer to have a valuable comment, I would have to agree with Rep. Garin as these privileges is being used in politicking and filibustering.

The House Rules provides that there is a Day for Privilege Hour scheduled every Monday. The mere fact that there is a scheduled date for personal and collective privileges already says something on the House of Representatives’ function. Designating a Privilege Hour does not make sense if any member of the House can stand up, anytime, to make a personal speech. These anti-RH Congressmen need to know that the House of Representative is a house of legislation and not a house of speeches. They must be reminded that the house should tackle the day’s order of business as such dictates its functions as a legislative body.

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