President Aquino decides to include RH bill in list of priority measures

Akbayan commends PNoy’s decision to include RH bill in list of priority measures

Akbayan Party today lauded the announcement made by President Benigno Simeon Aquino III to include the Reproductive Health bill among the 13 priory measures, which he reportedly will ask Congress to pass immediately.

Akbayan Spokesperson Risa Hontiveros said President Aquino’s decision to make the RH bill a priority measure was a“bold move.”

“We thank the President for this grand gesture of support. It was a very brave act especially at a time when advocates and supporters of the RH bill from both the public and the government are being subjected to bigotry and hatred. It sends a strong signal that the government will not be cowed by a noisy minority who uses and abuses the people’s faith to advance their archaic perspectives,” Hontiveros sad.

Hontiveros hoped with the President’s initiative to certify the RH bill as urgent, the passage of the RH Bill becomes certain.

“We hope this will finally serve to end all doubts as to the passage of the proposed law, which has languished for years in Congress. With the approaching passage of the RH bill, our desire to drastically reduce the number of deaths due to unsafe childbirth, unwanted pregnancies, and the rate of infection of sexually transmitted diseases will finally become a reality,” Hontiveros added.

Hontiveros said the Aquino’s announcement also invigorated the pro-RH movement.

“It provided the broad RH movement a new impetus to win this meaningful advocacy. It is good to know that the President is 100% behind us,” Hontiveros said.

However, Hontiveros warned RH advocates not to become complacent.

“We cannot sit idly by and wait for the passage of the RH bill. It is understandable that with such tremendous support, there is always the danger of complacency. Surely, with the President’s strong backing, those opposed to the passage of the RHbill will now double their efforts to block it. We should now do the same in ensuring its passage,” Hontiveros concluded.

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