Solons vote yes on second reading

With Roman Catholic bishops looking on, the House of Representatives on Wednesday night approved on second reading the reproductive health (RH) bill, which seeks to allocate government resources to procure artificial contraceptives.

Through a voice vote, the RH bill—formally known as House Bill 4244—moved a step closer to passage at the chamber, after surviving more than a year of plenary debates and a two-week amendment period.

The vote marked the first time the House approved on second reading a bill on reproductive health. For over a decade and spanning five Congresses, similar versions of the RH bill either languished at the committee level or got stalled during the period of plenary debates at the lower chamber.

Several Roman Catholic Church officials were present at the House gallery when the RH bill was approved on second reading.

The Roman Catholic Church, which supports only natural forms of birth control, opposes the RH bill because it promotes artificial forms of contraception.

After being approved on second reading, the RH bill will have to get another majority vote from House members for it to be passed by the chamber. At the Senate, the measure is still pending on second reading.*GMA News Online