Church stages RH protest,
Negros solons bare votes
BY CARLA GOMEZ

Four Negros Occidental congressmen voted yes, two voted no and one abstained when the reproductive health bill was put to a vote at the House of Representatives on second reading last night.

As of 1:07 a.m. today nominal voting was still ongoing with 95 congressmen having voted yes, 85 no, with three abstentions.

House Bill 4244 seeks to institutionalize access to reproductive health information and services, such as contraceptives.

Women back
reproductive health, too
BY GILBERT BAYORAN

The Philippine Commission on Women yesterday rallied the support of Negrenses for the passage of the controversial Reproductive (RH) Bill, and again claimed that it is not a “pro-abortion” law.

PCW Executive Director Emmeline Verzosa sought the help of the Provincial Council for Women to help disseminate information, to clarify misconceptions on the RH bill.

The PCW was known as the National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women until August 14, 2009 and it is the primary policy-making and coordinating body on women and gender equality concerns.
Verzosa, who spoke at the 18th year anniversary of PCW yesterday at Business Inn Hotel in Bacolod City said the RH bill aims to provide women and couples a choice to decide for themselves on family planning methods.

The Bacolod City Prosecutor’s Office dismissed for lack of probable cause the large scale estafa charges filed against eight leaders of a non-government organization accused by the police of duping, allegedly by offering instant cash returns for every investment made by their recruits.

However, City Prosecutor Emmanuel Lupisan found probable cause to pursue charges in court for the use of false treasury or bank notes against Altres de Dios, 33, of Mangan-Vaca in Zambales, Eustaquio Mejo Jr., 38, of Barrio Bareto, Olongapo City, also in Zambales province, president and vice president for treasury of the Voice for Global Solution on Poverty Association, respectively.

De Dios, Mejo and their companions Lina Deslate, 58, Gregorio Deslate, 58, of Molo District, Jesus Montes, 61, of La Paz District, Lucero Dolores, 61, and Carmela Umadhay, 42, of Jaro District, all of Iloilo City, and Vicenta Garcia, 59, of Cagayan were released from detention on orders of Municipal Trial Court in Cities Branch 3 Judge Napoleon Diamante when they posted bail of P5,600 each.