The Senate and House of Representatives passed on third and final reading last night the Church-opposed Reproductive Health Bill, with two Ilonggo senators and four Negros Occidental representatives standing firm on their yes votes.

House members voted 133-79 in favor of the RH bill, while seven abstained, Rep. Mercedes Alvarez (Neg. Occ., 6th District) said.

The Negros Occidental representatives entered the same votes as they did on second reading last week when four voted yes, two no and one abstained.

Those who maintained their yes votes to the RH were Alvarez, Alfredo Abelardo Benitez (3rd District), Julio Ledesma IV (1st District) and Alejandro Mirasol (5th District); while Rep. Alfredo Marañon III (2nd District) and Rep. Anthony Golez (Bacolod) voted no.

Rep. Jeffrey Ferrer (4th District) said he abstained again yesterday.

In the Senate, the RH bill passed by a 13-8 vote with no abstention.

Ilonggo senators Franklin Drilon and Miriam Defensor Santiago voted yes to the bill along with senators Edgardo Angara, Joker Arroyo, Alan Peter Cayetano, Pia Cayetano, Francis Escudero, Teofisto Guingona III, Panfilo Lacson, Loren Legarda, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Francis Pangilinan and Ralph Recto.

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III and senators Jinggoy Estrada, Gregorio Honasan II, Aquilino Pimentel III, Ramon Revilla Jr., Antonio Trillanes IV and Manny Villar voted no to the bill.

Senators Manuel Lapid and Sergio Osmeña III were absent.

The landmark legislation, once signed into law, would provide government funding for contraceptives and sex education classes in schools.

Earlier, Bacolod Bishop Vicente Navarra had said that even if the RH bill is passed in both Houses, the Church will continue its opposition to the move.

Malacañang yesterday hailed the Senate and the House of Representatives for approving the RH bill.

“Our legislature took an historic vote today for women and families -- as it successfully passed the Reproductive Health bill. We thank our senators and congressmen who voted for access to information and care," said Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda in a statement.*CPG

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