Advocates continue mass action to pressure Congress to vote on the RH Bill

Amid continued rains, a group of advocates pushing for the passage of the highly clamored Reproductive Health (RH) bill trooped to the House of Representatives yesterday to continue the mass action aimed at putting pressure to Congress leadership to vote on the measure.

The mass action dubbed “10 Taon Na ang RH Bill, Tama Na, Botohan Na!” that started Monday will be conducted every day until Congress decides to finally vote on the measure. Advocates vowed to remain steadfast to pressure Congress to vote on the bill before the year ends.

Meanwhile, news from House Leadership that voting on the RH bill will not be scheduled before the year ends further dismayed the advocates. According to news reports House Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales said that voting on the RH bill will most likely happen in June 2012.

“This is not acceptable to the Filipino people who have been clamoring for the passage of this law for more than 10 years now,” said Rom Dongeto, Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development Foundation, Inc. (PLCPD) Manager for Center for Communications and Information.

Dongeto said, “advocates do not see any reason why Congress leadership should wait for next year before they vote on the measure. Debates on the bill has long been exhausted, there is no new argument.” He explained, “the arguments coming from the anti-RH lawmakers are rehashed and has already been asked repeatedly.”

Advocates vowed to continue their daily rallies at the Batasan South Wing Entrance to pressure the House leadership to vote on the measure before the Christmas break. Ms. Vigie Benosa-Llorin, PLCPD Media Advocacy Officer