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Date Posted: 00:08:56 11/16/12 Fri
Author: IMRD
Subject: Nov 16, 2012

http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/nation/item/6948-pia-to-push-rh-bill-debates-on-monday


Pia to push RH bill debates on Monday
• Written by Angie M. Rosales
• Friday, 16 November 2012 00:00
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Sen. Pia Cayetano is out to insist on the resumption of deliberations of the Reproductive Health (RH) bill on Monday to fast-track its approval, saying that she will even consider resorting of availing the remedies provided under the Senate rules which include that of calling for a division of the House to move the measure forward.
“Do I look like somebody who would threaten to do something if I do not have the means to pull it through?” she told reporters in a news forum at the Senate.
Cayetano admitted being disappointed and somehow offended by the pronouncements made on the floor by Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, who practically brushed off her attempt during Tuesday’s plenary proceedings to tackle the bill prior to the continuation of the debates on the sin tax, a priority measure.
Enrile proved that he could not be badgered by Cayetano in order to wrap up the debates and fast-track the voting on third reading for the proposed Senate version.
The Senate President stood his ground, saying that he was not yet ready and practically emphasized that he could not be compelled by Cayetano.
“I have also a bill here that has been pending for 10 years and I’m waiting for it to be discussed in this chamber, (but) I never complained. And I don’t think there’s anyone who can compel any senator to jam simply because they want to him to jam. I’m ready to defend my position in any debate here. So I hope that they will understand that I’m not ready yet to propose any amendment,” Enrile said in taking the floor to respond to Cayetano.
“I can fight for myself but what about those women who have no voice? What about the women who need access to these services so they can be responsible parents? I owe it to them to fight for legislation that will protect their rights. So, I am offended on behalf of these women. The records will bear me out that I have been very patient in accommodating the needs of every senator to give them time to interpellate and to amend,” she lamented.
Cayetano’s conviction to press for the deliberations of the bill was apparently given a boost by the assertions of her co-sponsor, Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago that Enrile’s tact was unheard of.
“Decisions are made not by a single senator, even by a Senate president but always by majority of senators present. So first there has to be quorum, then a decision on any topic by a majority of those who are present,” Santiago said in a separate interview.
“So if we avail of a remedy to file a motion to end the period of amendment and it is carried by majority of those present, then that will be the end of the amendment period. If there will be a suspension of the motion, that will become in effect illegal because the presiding officer has no power to suspend the session on his own, at his whim. He must wait for a motion to be seconded and then he can act on it and if he makes a decision on whether to suspend or not, that decision may still be appealed and will depend again on the majority vote of those present. So there are procedural remedies that can be availed of,” she added.
Santiago even recalled an incident a couple of years ago where Enrile himself expressed his frustration and disapproval when one senator insisted that one bill should be kept on the agenda because that senator concerned still wanted to either interpellate or amend.

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