After more than 13 years of acrimonious debates, the Reproductive Health bill is now on its way to becoming a law. Credit—or blame, depending on whose side you’re on—should go to President Benigno Aquino 3rd whose support for the measure is unmistakable even as he was telling lawmakers to vote according to their consciences.

Well, I do concede that the lawmakers did vote according to their consciences. There’s Rep. Juan “Jack” Ponce Enrile Jr. who voted for the RH bill even if his father and namesake, the eminent Senate President, is unbending in opposing it. The son, one of the top absentees in the House, is up in the surveys on senatorial wannabes mainly because of JPE. By voting for the RH bill, he’s shown that he has a mind of his own, that he remains guided by his own conscience.

Nothing but conscience could impel reelectionists in the senatorial slate of the President to ignore his appeals and vote against the RH bill. They are Aquilino Pimentel 3rd and Antonio Trillanes 4th. Sen. Manny Villar, whose wife, Cynthia is with the President’s senatorial ticket, also voted against the bill.

Then, there’s Senate President Pro tempore Jinggoy Estrada who disregarded the stand of his parents, former President Erap Estrada and former Sen. Loi Estrada in voting against the RH bill.

Conscience vote was also cast by the LP congressmen who persisted in rejecting the RH bill, although the antis in the administration party had noticeably decreased in numbers. There were reports that Malacañang had summoned the Liberals and allies who voted against the bill on second reading. One does not have to be smarter than a First Grader to accurately guess why while 104 voted against on second reading, only 79 did on third reading. The vote on third reading consequently increased to 133 from 113 during second reading. Malacañang could offer these “renegades.” Thus, not surprisingly,

Rep. Manny Pacquiao of Saranggani who voted against the bill on second reading was among the 25 who absented themselves at the pivotal voting on third reading last Monday.
 
Their consciences must have forced these 25 congressmen who had previously voted “no” to absent themselves at the pivotal voting on third reading. House Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales had previously warned of sanctions against the LPs who would still vote “no” on third reading. What? Sanctions after the President had said congressmen should vote according to their conscience? That’s being more popish than the Pope!

Gonzales was an avid follower of then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo but junked her when she became unpopular. Now, he’s acting as an enforcer. This reminds me of the story about a former prostitute who was rehabilitated with the help of society. Now that she’s in good graces of society, she has started to see “sinful” behaviors and dressing of young girls, and crying eternal damnation to those who don’t see things as she does.

On second thought, those who succumbed to the carrot-and stick policy of the Liberal Party and the administration should not be judged harshly. If their consciences tell them to accept offers of pork or else face sanction, then we should not judge them harshly for suddenly making a disappearing act. But what about their earlier voice of “conscience” that told them to vote “no?” Well, it only shows that there is a lot of conscience at the House. Why, these congressmen even have TWO consciences.

I also admire the senators and reelectionist congressmen who voted for the measure despite the strong pressure from the Catholic Church. In a previous column, I wrote that dogma should have no place in lawmaking. A law that adheres to a Catholic dogma discriminates against the religious minority. As Sen. Pia Cayetano, sponsor of the RH bill in the Senate once pointed out, a number of predominantly Catholic countries, including Spain, Italy and the Latin American states, have reproductive health programs.

Incidentally, Sen. Joker Arroyo voted for the measure “conditionally.” Of course, votes for with reservations or conditions will be unconditionally counted as “yes.”

The Senate immediately adjourned after voting 13-8 to pass the RH bill on third and final reading without forming its own bicameral conference committee, unlike the House which did. This means that a reconciliation of the differing provisions of the House and the Senate versions of the bill could not be immediately done.

The march of the RH bill toward becoming a law is inexorable, however. Unfortunately, this does not mean that the acrimonious debates will finally end. Those against the measure will find other venues in pursuing their stand.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.