Congressional Record

PLENARY PROCEEDINGS OF THE 15th CONGRESS, FIRST REGULAR SESSION

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Vol. 4 Wednesday, May 25, 2011 No. 72b At 4:00 p.m., the session was resumed with Deputy Speaker Raul A. Daza presiding. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). The session is resumed. The Dep. Majority Leader is recognized. REP. FARIAS. Mr. Speaker, before we proceed to the Additional Reference of Business, may we acknowledge the presence of some guests in the gallery: the mayor of Bangui, Ilocos Norte, Mayor Salvacion Sales-Cimatu; and the vice mayor of Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte, Vice Mayor Marlon Sales. (Applause) THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). Welcome to the House of Representatives. REP. FARIAS. Mr. Speaker, I move that we proceed to the Additional Reference of Business. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). Is there any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the motion is approved. The Secretary General will please read the Additional Reference of Business. ADDITIONAL REFERENCE OF BUSINESS The Secretary General read the following House Bills and Resolutions on First Reading, and Committee Reports, and the Deputy Speaker made the corresponding references: BILLS ON FIRST READING House Bill No. 4685, entitled: AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A UNIFORM RULES AND REGULATIONS RELATING TO THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE PHILIPPINE TRAFFIC SYSTEM, AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NUMBER 4136 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE LAND TRANSPORTATION AND TRAFFIC CODEAND OTHER RELATED LAWS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES By Representative Mercado-Revilla TO THE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION House Bill No. 4686, entitled: AN ACT CONVERTING THE DONSOLBANUANG GURANGJOVELLAR PROVINCIAL ROAD IN House Bill No. 4690, entitled: AN ACT STRENGTHENING THE POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF THE MOVIE AND TELEVISION REVIEW AND CLASSIFICATION BOARD (MTRCB), AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1986 CREATING THE MTRCB By Representative Villarica TO THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC INFORMATION House Bill No. 4695, entitled: AN ACT AMENDING SECTION 220, CHAPTER II, TITLE VIII OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8424, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE TAX REFORM ACT OF 1997, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES By Representative Relampagos TO THE COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND MEANS House Bill No. 4696, entitled: AN ACT ESTABLISHING A DISTRICT BRANCH OF THE LAND TRANSPORTATION OFFICE (LTO) IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF STA. BARBARA IN THE MUNICIPALITIES OF DONSOL, PROVINCE OF SORSOGON AND JOVELLAR, PROVINCE OF ALBAY INTO A NATIONAL ROAD By Representatives Escudero and Gonzalez TO THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS AND HIGHWAYS House Bill No. 4687, entitled: AN ACT INSTITUTING REFORMS IN REAL PROPERTY VALUATION IN THE PHILIPPINES, REORGANIZING THE BUREAU OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT FINANCE,AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR By Representatives Rodriguez (R.) and Rodriguez (M.) TO THE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT REORGANIZATION House Bill No. 4689, entitled: AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE MISAMIS OCCIDENTAL SPORTS ACADEMY IN THE CAPITAL CITY OF OROQUIETA, PROVINCE OF MISAMIS OCCIDENTAL AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR By Representative Almonte TO THE COMMITTEE ON YOUTH AND SPORTS DEVELOPMENT

2 2ND DISTRICT OF ILOILO, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFORAND FOR OTHER PURPOSES By Representative Syjuco TO THE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION House Bill No. 4697, entitled: AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A FISH PORT AND COLD STORAGE FACILITY IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF DAPA PROVINCE OF SURIGAO DEL NORTE AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR By Representative Matugas TO THE COMMITTEE ON AQUACULTURE AND FISHERIES RESOURCES House Bill No. 4698, entitled: AN ACT CONDONING THE ARREARS IN LAND AMORTIZATION INCLUDING THE INTERESTS AND PENALTIES THEREOF OF FARMERS IN THE COUNTRY By Representative Mariano TO THE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND FOOD House Bill No. 4699, entitled: AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE SECURITY OF TENURE OF FARMERS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES By Representative Mariano TO THE COMMITTEE ON AGRARIAN REFORM House Bill No. 4700, entitled: ANACT PROVIDING FOR THE INCLUSION IN SOCIAL STUDIESAND HISTORYBOOKS OF ELEMENTARY, HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE THE LIVES AND HEROIC CONTRIBUTIONS OF FELIXBERTO KA BERT OLALIA AND ROLANDO KA LANDO OLALIA TO THE MILITANT LABOR MOVEMENT IN THE PHILIPPINES AND THE CONTINUING STRUGGLE OF THE FILIPINO WORKING PEOPLE FOR GENUINE JUSTICE AND FREEDOM AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR By Representative Mariano TO THE COMMITTEE ON BASIC EDUCATION AND CULTURE AND THE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION RESOLUTIONS House Resolution No. 1272, entitled: RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COMMITTEE ON COOPERATIVES TO CONDUCT A CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRY IN AID OF LEGISLATION ON THE ALLEGED NONISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATES OF TAX EXEMPTION (CTE) TO ALL PRIMARY COOPERATIVES IN ORIENTAL MINDORO AS INDICATED THROUGH A JOINT PETITION SIGNED BY AT LEAST 36 PRIMARY COOPERATIVES OF THE PROVINCE DATED 16 MARCH 2011 By Representatives Ping-ay and Paez TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES

WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2011 House Resolution No. 1273, entitled: A RESOLUTION EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY OF EDUCATOR AND ESTEEMED JOURNALIST MA. LOURDES CHIT ESTELLASIMBULAN By Representative Mariano TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES House Resolution No. 1274, entitled: A RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE HOUSE COMMITTEES ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND ON LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT TO CONDUCT AN INQUIRY, IN AID OF LEGISLATION ON THE ALLEGED HUMAN TRAFFICKING COMMITTED BY THE ASSISTANT LABOR ATTACHE IN KUWAIT INVOLVING ABUSED FILIPINO WORKERS WHO HAVE SOUGHT REFUGE IN THE HALFWAY HOME RUN BY THE OVERSEAS WORKERS WELFARE ADMINISTRATION AND RECOMMEND MEASURES THEREON INCLUDING IMMEDIATE RECALL AND FILING OF CRIMINAL CHARGES AGAINST THE RESPONSIBLE OFFICER/S By Representatives Ilagan and De Jesus TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES House Resolution No. 1275, entitled: RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION TO CONDUCTAN INQUIRY, INAID OF LEGISLATION, ON THE TERMINATION OF TWO (2) SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS INTENDED FOR INDIGENOUS PEOPLES BY THE COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION IN VIOLATION OF EXISTING LAWS, AND RECOMMEND REMEDIAL MEASURES THERETO By Representative Padilla TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES House Resolution No. 1276, entitled: RESOLUTION CONGRATULATING CANDICE ADEA FOR WINNING THE PRESTIGIOUS MARIS LIEPA PRIZE FOR OUTSTANDING ARTISTRY AND CANDICE ADEA AND JEAN MARC CORDERO FOR BEING AWARDED THE LEAD ROLE IN RUSSIAN BALLET PERFORMANCE DURING THE BOSTON INTERNATIONAL BALLET COMPETITION HELD IN BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS ON MAY 12-16, 2011 By Representative Sarmiento (C.) TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES House Resolution No. 1277, entitled: A RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION TO TAKE STEPS TO SPEED UP THE PROCESSING OF VISAS, SET UP A SPECIAL EXPRESS LANE OR ESTABLISH A NEW KIND OF VISA FOR EXPATS FROM JAPAN IN ORDER TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO WORK AND INVEST IN THE PHILIPPINES By Representatives Rodriguez (R.) and Rodriguez (M.) TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES

WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2011 House Resolution No. 1278, entitled: A RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT ENTERPRISES AND PRIVATIZATION TO CONDUCT AN INQUIRY, IN AID OF LEGISLATION ON THE DECISION OF THE GOVERNMENTSERVICE INSURANCE SYSTEMTO PUT ON HOLD ITS HOUSING LOAN PROGRAM TO THE DETRIMENT OF ITS MEMBERS By Representatives Rodriguez (R.) and Rodriguez (M.) TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES House Resolution No. 1279, entitled: A RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COMMITTEE ON ENERGY TO CONDUCT AN INQUIRY, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, ON THE TERMINATION OF THE OPERATIONS AND MANAGEMENT CONTRACT BETWEENTHE NATIONALPOWER CORPORATION AND THE ALBAY ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE (ALECO) FOR THE PURPOSE OF ASCERTAINING THE EFFECTS OF THIS MANAGEMENT RESTRUCTURING ON THE FINANCIAL AND MANAGEMENT VIABILITY OF THE ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, AS WELLAS ITS IMPACT ON THE WELFARE OF ORDINARYCONSUMERS By Representative Bello TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES House Resolution No. 1280, entitled: ARESOLUTION CONDEMNING, IN THE STRONGEST POSSIBLE TERMS, THE SEXUAL ASSAULT BY DOMINIQUE STRAUSS-KAHN, DIRECTORGENERAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND,ONACHAMBERMAIDOFTHESOFITELNEW YORKHOTELINTHEUNITEDSTATESOFAMERICA By Representative Bello TO THE COMMITTEE ON WOMEN AND GENDER EQUALITY House Resolution No. 1281, entitled: RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES TO CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, ON THE MINING OPERATION IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF JOSE PANGANIBAN, PROVINCE OF CAMARINES NORTE BEING UNDERTAKEN BY INVESTWELL RESOURCES, INC. WHICH IS THE SUBJECT OF VIOLENT CONFRONTATIONS AND RAGING DISPUTES BY CONTENDING PARTIES By Representative Panotes TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES House Resolution No. 1282, entitled: RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COMMITTEE ON GOOD GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY TO CONDUCT AN IMMEDIATE INQUIRY INTO THE ALLEGED ANOMALIES ATTENDING THE 46-MILLION PESO BALIKATAN FUND IN 2007 AND EXTENDINGASSISTANCEAND PROTECTION TO WHISTLEBLOWER AND FORMER LIEUTENANT SENIOR GRADE NANCY GADIAN AND HER

3 IMMEDIATE FAMILY By Representatives Casio, Ilagan, Mariano, Palatino, De Jesus and Tinio TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES House Resolution No. 1283, entitled: A RESOLUTION URGING THE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION TO CONDUCT AN INQUIRY IN AID OF LEGISLATION, ON THE PRACTICES OF BUDGET AIRLINES OF OVERBOOKING, DENIED BOARDING, FLIGHT DELAYS AND CANCELLATIONS THAT CAUSES TRAVELERS UNNECESSARY INCONVENIENCE By Representatives Co, Batocabe and Garbin TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES House Resolution No. 1284, entitled: A RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COMMITTEE ON YOUTH AND SPORTS DEVELOPMENT TO INQUIRE INTO THE CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING THE DEATH OF MOTORCYCLE RACING CHAMPION MAICO GREG BUNCIO DURING THE TIME TRIALS CONDUCTED ON MAY 21, 2011 AT THE CLARK SPEEDWAY RACING CIRCUIT By Representative Unico TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES House Resolution No. 1285, entitled: A RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TO EVALUATE AND INQUIRE INTO, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, THE SAFETY AND ROADWORTHINESS OF AND THE REGULATORYAND STATUTORY FRAMEWORK GOVERNING COMMONWEALTH AVENUE IN ORDER TO AVOID THE PERENNIALACCIDENTS OCCURRING THEREIN By Representatives Co, Garbin, Batocabe and Mercado (H.) TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES House Resolution No. 1286, entitled: RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN RIGHTS TO CONDUCT AN INQUIRY, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, INTO THE KILLING OF KABATAAN PARTY-LIST AND ANAKBAYAN MEMBER JERWIN DE ANTONIO ALLEGEDLYAT THE HANDS OF THE NAVOTAS POLICE ON APRIL 21, 2011 By Representative Palatino TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES House Resolution No. 1287, entitled: A RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COMMITTEES ON COOPERATIVES AND ENERGY TO CONDUCT A CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRY, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, INTO THE ALLEGED OVERCOLLECTION OF ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES FROM CONSUMERS FROM YEAR 2004 TO 2008 By Representative Lico TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES

4 House Resolution No. 1288, entitled: A RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE PROFOUND SYMPATHY AND SINCERE CONDOLENCES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ON THE UNTIMELY DEMISE OF MAICO GREG BUNCIO, THE PHILIPPINES FASTEST MAN ON TWO WHEELS AND FOUR-TIME NATIONAL SUPERBIKE CHAMPION By Representative Sambar TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES House Resolution No. 1289, entitled: A RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COMMITTEE ON YOUTH AND SPORTS DEVELOPMENT TO INQUIRE, INVESTIGATE AND STUDY, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, INTO THE UNTIMELY DEMISE OF NATIONAL SUPERBIKE CHAMPION MAICO GREG BUNCIO IN ORDER TO SECURE AND UPHOLD INTERNATIONAL SAFETY STANDARDS FOR PHILIPPINE MOTORSPORTS CIRCUITS AND RACE TRACKS By Representative Sambar TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES House Resolution No. 1290, entitled: A RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COMMITTEE ON ENERGY TO CONDUCT AN INQUIRY, IN AID OF LEGISLATION ON THE CURRENT STATUS OF THE NATURAL GAS VEHICLE PROGRAM FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORT (NGVPPT) By Representatives Rodriguez (R.) and Rodriguez (M.) TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES House Resolution No. 1291, entitled: RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE COMMITTEE ON INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY AND COMMITTEE ON TRADE AND INDUSTRY OF THE 15TH CONGRESS TO CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION IN AID OF LEGISLATION REGARDING OVEBILLING AND UNFAIR CONSUMER PRACTICES ON MOBILE PHONES AND DEVICES By Representative Go (A.C.) TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES House Resolution No. 1292, entitled: RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, THROUGH THE COMMITTEE ON HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, TO CONDUCT AN INQUIRY IN AID OF LEGISLATION, INTO THE ALLEGED NEFARIOUS ACTS OR PRACTICES OF MASAITO DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, IN VIOLATION OF THE PROVISIONS OF THE 1987 CONSTITUTION, THE CIVIL CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES AND RELATED LAWS ON HOUSING AND SUBDIVISION DEVELOPMENT By Representative Abayon TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES House Joint Resolution No. 18, entitled: JOINT RESOLUTION DECLARING CRISANTO

WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2011 EVANGELISTA, THE RECOGNIZED FATHER OF MILITANT FILIPINO UNIONISM, AS A NATIONAL HERO By Representative Mariano TO THE COMMITTEE ON BASIC EDUCATION AND CULTURE ADDITIONAL COAUTHORS Rep. Romero Federico Miro S. Quimbo for House Bills No. 498 and 632; Reps. Danilo Ramon S. Fernandez and Roman T. Romulo for House Bill No. 807; Rep. Sherwin N. Tugna for House Bill No. 808; Rep. Angelo B. Palmones for House Bills No. 1682, 4567 and 4626; Rep. Walden F. Bello for House Bill No. 1815; Reps. Joseph Emilio A. Abaya, Elpidio F. Barzaga Jr., Antonio A. Ferrer and Roy M. Loyola for House Bill No. 1989; Rep. Jane T. Castro for House Bill No. 3370; Rep. Michael Angelo C. Rivera for House Bill No. 4169; Rep. Tomas R. Osmea for House Bills No. 4365 and 4464; Rep. Anthony Rolando T. Golez Jr. for House Bill No. 4462; Reps. Salvador P. Cabaluna III, Maria Isabelle Beng G. Climaco, Robert Raymund M. Estrella, Ana Cristina Siquian Go, Joselito Jonjon R. Mendoza, Arturo B. Robes and Randolph S. Ting for House Bill No. 4626; Rep. Daryl Grace J. Abayon for House Bill No. 4669; Rep. Julio A. Ledesma IV for House Bill No. 162 and House Resolution No. 791; Rep. Cinchona C. Cruz-Gonzales for House Bill No. 1384 and House Resolution No. 861; Rep. Jerry P. Treas for House Bills No. 1989 and 4374 and House Resolution No. 1170; Rep. Roger G. Mercado for House Bills No. 3475 and 4365 and House Resolution No. 1170; Rep. Cesar V. Sarmiento for House Bill No. 4197 and House Resolution No. 1241; and Rep. Mercedes K. Alvarez for House Resolution No. 1170. COMMITTEE REPORTS Report by the Committee on Local Government (Committee Report No. 969), re H. No. 4729, entitled: AN ACT CONVERTING THE MUNICIPALITY OF IMUS IN THE PROVINCE OF CAVITE INTO A COMPONENT CITY TO BE KNOWN AS THE CITY OF IMUS recommending its approval in substitution of House Bill No. 1989 Sponsors: Representatives Arnaiz and Maliksi TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES Report by the Committee on Local Government (Committee Report No. 970), re H. No. 4730, entitled: AN ACT CONVERTING THE MUNICIPALITY OF BACOOR IN THE PROVINCE OF CAVITE INTO A COMPONENT CITY TO BE KNOWN AS THE CITY OF BACOOR

WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2011 recommending its approval in substitution of House Bill No. 521 Sponsors: Representatives Arnaiz and Mercado-Revilla TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES Report by the Committee on Local Government (Committee Report No. 971), re H. No. 4731, entitled: AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE REAPPORTIONMENT OF THE PROVINCE OF RIZAL INTO FOUR (4) LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS recommending its approval in substitution of House Bill No. 4144 Sponsors: Representatives Arnaiz, Duavit and Rodriguez (I.) TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES Report by the Committee on Ecology (Committee Report No. 1022), re H. R. No. 1312, entitled: RESOLUTION URGING THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, HIS EXCELLENCY, BENIGNO SIMEON C. AQUINO III TO CONSIDER THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON ECOLOGY WITH REFERENCE TO THE INVESTIGATION ON THE LAGUNA LAKE REHABILITATION PROJECT recommending its adoption pursuant to House Resolution Nos. 113, 177, 203 and 303, on the Laguna Lake Rehabilitation Project; informing the House of its findings and recommendations Sponsors: Representatives Fernandez, Rodriguez (R.), Chipeco, Biazon, Mariano, Rodriguez (M.), Arago, San Luis, Duavit and Rodriguez (I.) TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES Report by the Committee on Energy (Committee Report No. 1023), re H. No. 4169, entitled: AN ACT EXTENDING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE LIFELINE RATE, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 73 OF REPUBLIC ACT NUMBERED NINETY ONE THIRTY SIX, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE ELECTRIC POWER INDUSTRY REFORM ACT OF 2001 recommending its approval without amendment, in consolidation with House Bill Nos. 4529 and 4629 Sponsors: Representatives Abad, Rodriguez (R.), Rodriguez (M.) and Evardone TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES Report by the Committee on Local Government (Committee Report No. 1024), re H. No. 4736, entitled: AN ACT CONVERTING THE MUNICIPALITY OF MABALACAT IN THE PROVINCE OF PAMPANGA INTO A COMPONENT CITY TO BE KNOWN AS MABALACAT CITY recommending its approval in substitution in substitution of House Bill No. 2509 Sponsors: Representatives Arnaiz and Lazatin TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). The Dep. Majority Leader is recognized.
* See MEASURES CONSIDERED (printed separately)

5 CONSIDERATION OF H.B. NO. 4643 ON SECOND READING PERIOD OF SPONSORSHIP AND DEBATE REP. FARIAS. Mr. Speaker, I move that we consider House Bill No. 4643, as contained in Committee Report No. 911, as reported out by the Committee on Labor and Employment.* May I ask that the Secretary General be directed to read only the title of the measure. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). Is there any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the motion is approved. The Secretary General is directed to read only the title of the measure. With the permission of the Body, and since copies of the measure have been previously distributed, the Secretary General read only the title thereof without prejudice to inserting its text in the Congressional Record. THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 4643, entitled: AN ACT EXPANDING THE PROHIBITED ACTS OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN ON ACCOUNT OF SEX, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE ARTICLES 135 AND 137 OF PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 442, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE LABOR CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). The Dep. Majority Leader is recognized. REP. FARIAS. Mr. Speaker, I move that we consider the Explanatory Note of the bill as the sponsorship speech on the measure. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). Is there any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the motion is approved. The Dep. Majority Leader is recognized. REP. FARIAS. Mr. Speaker, considering that no Member has signified his intent to debate on the measure, I now move that we terminate the period of sponsorship and debate. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). Is there any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the motion is approved. SUSPENSION OF SESSION REP. FARIAS. Mr. Speaker, may we suspend the session for a few minutes. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). The session is suspended for a few minutes. It was 4:06 p.m.

6 RESUMPTION OF SESSION At 4:08 p.m., the session was resumed. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). The session is resumed. The Dep. Majority Leader is recognized. REP. FARIAS. Mr. Speaker, I move that we open the period of amendments on House Bill No. 4643. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). Is there any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the motion is approved. REP. FARIAS. Mr. Speaker, considering that there are no committee or individual amendments, I now move that we terminate the period of amendments. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). Is there any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the motion is approved. REP. FARIAS. Mr. Speaker, I move that we approve on Second Reading House Bill No. 4643, as contained in Committee Report No. 911. VIVA VOCE VOTING THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). As many as are in favor of approving House Bill No. 4643 on Second Reading, please say aye. SEVERAL MEMBERS. Aye. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). As many as are against, please say nay. FEW MEMBERS. Nay. APPROVAL OF H.B. NO. 4643 ON SECOND READING THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). The ayes have it; the motion is approved. House Bill No. 4643 is approved on Second Reading. The Dep. Majority Leader is recognized. CONSIDERATION OF H.B. NO. 4656 ON SECOND READING PERIOD OF SPONSORSHIP AND DEBATE REP. FARIAS. Mr. Speaker, I move that we consider House Bill No. 4656, as contained in Committee Report No. 913, as reported out by the Committee on Housing and Urban Development.* May I ask that the Secretary General be directed to read only the title of the measure. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). Is there any
* See MEASURES CONSIDERED (printed separately)

WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2011 objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the motion is approved. The Secretary General is directed to read only the title of the measure. With the permission of the Body, and since copies of the measure have been previously distributed, the Secretary General read only the title thereof without prejudice to inserting its text in the Congressional Record. THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 4656, entitled: AN ACT INSTITUTING REFORMS IN THE GOVERNMENTS DRIVE AGAINST PROFESSIONAL SQUATTERS AND SQUATTING RACKETEER/S OR SYNDICATES, STRENGTHENING THE MECHANISMS THEREFOR, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7279, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). The Dep. Majority Leader is recognized. REP. FARIAS. Mr. Speaker, I move that the Explanatory Note of the bill be considered as the sponsorship speech on the measure. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). Is there any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the motion is approved. REP. FARIAS. Mr. Speaker, considering that no Member has signified his intent to debate on the measure, I now move that we terminate the period of sponsorship and debate. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). Is there any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the motion is approved. REP. FARIAS. Mr. Speaker, I move that we open the period of amendments. However, since there are no committee or individual amendments, I now move that we terminate the period of amendments. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). Is there any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the motion is approved. REP. FARIAS. Mr. Speaker, I move that we approve on Second Reading House Bill No. 4656, as contained in Committee Report No. 913. VIVA VOCE VOTING THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). As many as are in favor of approving House Bill No. 4656 on Second Reading, please say aye. SEVERAL MEMBERS. Aye. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). As many as are against, please say nay. FEW MEMBERS. Nay.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2011 APPROVAL OF H.B. NO. 4656 ON SECOND READING THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). The ayes have it; the motion is approved. House Bill No. 4656 is approved on Second Reading. The Dep. Majority Leader is recognized. CONSIDERATION OF H.B. NO. 4672 ON SECOND READING PERIOD OF SPONSORSHIP AND DEBATE REP. FARIAS. Mr. Speaker, I move that we consider on Second Reading House Bill No. 4672, as contained in Committee Report No. 920, as reported out by the Committee on Revision of Laws.* May I ask that the Secretary General be directed to read the title of the bill. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). The Secretary General is so directed. THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 4667, entitled: ANACT CREATING THE DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY, DEFINING ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR,AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. REP. FARIAS. Mr. Speaker. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). The Dep. Majority Leader is recognized. SUSPENSION OF SESSION REP. FARIAS. May I move that the session be suspended for a few minutes. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). The session is suspended for a few minutes. It was 4:11 p.m. RESUMPTION OF SESSION At 4:11 p.m., the session was resumed. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). The session is resumed by way of repetition. THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 4672, entitled: AN ACT DECLARING THE CELEBRATION OF NATIONAL CHILDRENS MONTH IN THE COUNTRY ON OCTOBER OF EVERYYEAR. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). The Dep. Majority Leader is recognized. REP. FARIAS. Mr. Speaker, I move that the Explanatory
* See MEASURES CONSIDERED (printed separately)

7 Note of the bill be considered as the sponsorship speech on the measure. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). Is there any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the motion is approved. REP. FARIAS. Mr. Speaker, considering that no Member has signified his intent to debate on the measure, I now move that we terminate the period of sponsorship and debate. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). Is there any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the motion is approved. REP. FARIAS. Mr. Speaker, I now move that we open the period of amendments. However, there being no committee or individual amendments, I move that we terminate the period of amendments. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). Is there any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the motion is approved. The Dep. Majority Leader is recognized. REP. FARIAS. Mr. Speaker, I move that we approve on Second Reading House Bill No. 4672, as contained in Committee Report No. 920. VIVA VOCE VOTING THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). As many as are in favor of approving House Bill No. 4672 on Second Reading, please say aye. SEVERAL MEMBERS. Aye. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). As many as are against, please say nay. FEW MEMBERS. Nay. APPROVAL OF H.B. NO. 4672 ON SECOND READING THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). The ayes have it; the motion is approved. House Bill No. 4672 is approved on Second Reading. The Dep. Majority Leader is recognized. CONSIDERATION OF H.B. NO. 4688 ON SECOND READING PERIOD OF SPONSORSHIP AND DEBATE REP. FARIAS. Mr. Speaker, I move that we consider House Bill No. 4688, as contained in Committee Report No. 932, as reported out by the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship Development.* May I ask that the Secretary General be directed to read only the title of the measure.

8 THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). Is there any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the motion is approved. The Secretary General is directed to read only the title of the measure. With the permission of the Body, and since copies of the measure have been previously distributed, the Secretary General read only the title thereof without prejudice to inserting its text in the Congressional Record. THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 4688, entitled: AN ACT GOVERNING THE CREATION AND ACCREDITATION OF MICRO-ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTIONS,AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES REP. FARIAS. Mr. Speaker, I move that the Explanatory Note of the bill be considered as the sponsorship speech on the measure. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). Is there any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the motion is approved. REP. FARIAS. Mr. Speaker, considering that no Member has signified his intent to debate on the measure, I now move that we terminate the period of sponsorship and debate. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). Is there any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the motion is approved. REP. FARIAS. Mr. Speaker, I now move that we open the period of amendments. However, there being no committee amendments, neither has any Member signified his intent to introduce any amendment, I now move that we terminate the period of amendments. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). Is there any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the motion is approved. REP. FARIAS. Mr. Speaker, I move that we approve on Second Reading House Bill No. 4688, as contained in Committee Report No. 932. VIVA VOCE VOTING THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). As many as are in favor of approving House Bill No. 4688 on Second Reading, please say aye. SEVERAL MEMBERS. Aye. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). As many as are against, please say nay. FEW MEMBERS. Nay. APPROVAL OF H.B. NO. 4688 ON SECOND READING THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). The ayes have it; the motion is approved.
* See MEASURES CONSIDERED (printed separately)

WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2011 House Bill No. 4688 is approved on Second Reading. OMNIBUS CONSIDERATION AND ADOPTION OF HOUSE RESOLUTIONS REP. FARIAS. Mr. Speaker, I move for the omnibus consideration and adoption of the following measures:* 1. House Resolution No. 1047, as contained in Committee Report No. 972; 2. House Resolution No. 1050, as contained in Committee Report No. 973; 3. House Resolution No. 1052, as contained in Committee Report No. 974; 4. House Resolution No. 1053, as contained in Committee Report No. 975; 5. House Resolution No. 1054, as contained in Committee Report No. 976; 6. House Resolution No. 1057, as contained in Committee Report No. 977; 7. House Resolution No. 1058, as contained in Committee Report No. 978; 8. House Resolution No. 1060, as contained in Committee Report No. 979; 9. House Resolution No. 1062, as contained in Committee Report No. 980; 10. House Resolution No. 1063, as contained in Committee Report No. 981; 11. House Resolution No. 1069, as contained in Committee Report No. 982; 12. House Resolution No. 1070, as contained in Committee Report No. 983; 13. House Resolution No. 1071, as contained in Committee Report No. 984; 14. House Resolution No. 1072, as contained in Committee Report No. 985; 15. House Resolution No. 1075, as contained in Committee Report No. 986; 16. House Resolution No. 1079, as contained in Committee Report No. 987; 17. House Resolution No. 1080, as contained in Committee Report No. 988; 18. House Resolution No. 1081, as contained in Committee Report No. 989; 19. House Resolution No. 1090, as contained in Committee Report No. 990; 20. House Resolution No. 1091, as contained in Committee Report No. 991; 21. House Resolution No. 1092, as contained in Committee Report No. 992; 22. House Resolution No. 1093, as contained in Committee Report No. 993; 23. House Resolution No. 1096, as contained in Committee Report No. 994; 24. House Resolution No. 1099, as contained in Committee Report No. 995; 25. House Resolution No. 1100, as contained in Committee Report No. 996; 26. House Resolution No. 1101, as contained in Committee Report No. 997;

WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2011 27. House Resolution No. Committee Report No. 998; 28. House Resolution No. Committee Report No. 999; 29. House Resolution No. Committee Report No. 1000; 30. House Resolution No. Committee Report No. 1001; 31. House Resolution No. Committee Report No. 1002; 32. House Resolution No. Committee Report No. 1003; 33. House Resolution No. Committee Report No. 1004; 34. House Resolution No. Committee Report No. 1005; 35. House Resolution No. Committee Report No. 1006; 36. House Resolution No. Committee Report No. 1007; 37. House Resolution No. Committee Report No. 1008; 38. House Resolution No. Committee Report No. 1009; 39. House Resolution No. Committee Report No. 1010; 40. House Resolution No. Committee Report No. 1011; 41. House Resolution No. Committee Report No. 1012; 42. House Resolution No. Committee Report No. 1013; 43. House Resolution No. Committee Report No. 1014; 44. House Resolution No. Committee Report No. 1015; 45. House Resolution No. Committee Report No. 1016; 46. House Resolution No. Committee Report No. 1017; 47. House Resolution No. Committee Report No. 1018; and 48. House Resolution No. Committee Report No. 1019. 1103, as contained in 1105, as contained in 1107, as contained in 1108, as contained in 1109, as contained in 1110, as contained in 1112, as contained in 1113, as contained in 1114, as contained in 1115, as contained in 1116, as contained in 1117, as contained in 1122, as contained in 1123, as contained in 1124, as contained in REP. BENALDO. Mr. Speaker. 1127, as contained in 1128, as contained in 1130, as contained in 1131, as contained in 1132, as contained in 1133, as contained in 1218, as contained in RESUMPTION OF SESSION At 4:16 p.m., the session was resumed.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). The session is resumed. The Dep. Majority Leader is recognized. OMNIBUS CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF HOUSE BILLS ON SECOND READING REP. FARIAS. Mr. Speaker, considering that today is Wednesday, may I make an omnibus motion to consider and approve on Second Reading 15 local bills, namely: House Bills No. 4641, 4657, 851, 951, 4659, 4673, 4674, 4675, 4676, 4677, 4678, 4679, 4680, 4681 and 4682 dispense with the reading of the texts; consider their Explanatory Notes thereof as the sponsorship remarks on the measures; close the period of sponsorship and debate thereon; open and approve the amendments, as contained in the Committee Reports, if any; close the period of amendments thereon; and unanimously approve the same on Second Reading.* I so move, Mr. Speaker. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). Is there any objection to the motion? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the motion for the omnibus consideration and approval of the local bills enumerated is hereby unanimously approved.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). The Floor Leader is recognized. REP. BENALDO. Mr. Speaker, may I request that we acknowledge the presence of some guests. We have the guests of Hon. Walden F. Bello. We have this afternoon the Members of the Parliament of Bangladesh, namely: Mr. Md. Israfil Alam, Member of Parliament and Chairman of the Standing Committee on Ministry of Labor and Employment of Bangladesh; and Mr. Mustaque Ahmed Ruhi, Member of Parliament, Parliamentary Standing Committee on Ministry of Expatriate Welfare and Overseas Employment. We also have the Members of the Cambodian National Assembly, namely: His Excellency Sophirith Kim and His Excellency Son Chhay. We also have a Member of the Indonesian Parliament: Ms. Eva Kusuma Sundari, Fraksi Partai Demokrasi Indonesia Perjuangan, DPR-RI. We also have our guests from the Sri Lankan Parliament, namely: Mr. Uda Widanalage Shantha Bandara, Member of Parliament, Kurunegala District; and Mr. Shehan Assanka Semasinghe, Member of Parliament, Anuradhapura District. We also have the civil society advocates of Indonesia, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). The Chair would like to request the Members to please rise to welcome the Members of Parliaments from the countries mentioned by the Floor Leader. (Applause)

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). Is there any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the motion is approved. The resolutions enumerated in the omnibus motion are hereby adopted. SUSPENSION OF SESSION REP. FARIAS. Mr. Speaker, I move that we suspend the session for a few minutes. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). The session is suspended for a few minutes. It was 4:14 p.m.
* See MEASURES CONSIDERED (printed separately)

10 The House of Representatives, including the Speaker of the House and all the Members, would like to welcome all the Members of the foreign parliaments that were enumerated by the Floor Leader. Welcome to the House of Representatives. The Floor Leader is recognized. REP. BENALDO. Mr. Speaker, I move that we recognize Honorable Bello. REP. BELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise on a question of personal and collective privilege. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). Would the Gentleman please state the substance of the matter on which he rises. REP. BELLO. Yes, this is regarding the visit of our Asian Parliamentarians and the purpose of their coming to Manila to join in an effort to bring together some countries with respect to migrant workers. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). The Gentleman has 10 minutes. QUESTION OF PRIVILEGE OF REP. BELLO REP. BELLO. Mr. Speaker, dear colleagues and, of course, our dear Representatives from the different parliaments who are joining us today: There is a common denominator that binds our countries together. Underdevelopment and poverty have pushed a good number of citizens to take on work in households in wealthier countries across Asia and the Middle East such as Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Lebanon and Jordan. The year 2010 saw the deployment of 1.36 million Filipino migrants across the globe, more than 80,000 of whom were domestic workers. In the latest available statistics, 52 percent of Cambodian women migrants were employed as domestic workers in 2007. Over 900,000 Indonesians were deployed in 2006 as domestic workers. Sri Lanka deploys around 125,000 domestic workers annually. Bangladesh deploys 475,000 migrant workers in 2009, 6 percent of whom were women whose destinations were the Kingdom of Saud Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, presumably for domestic work. These are but official numbers. A more worrying scenario emerges should we factor in undocumented migrant workers that are trafficked from and across Asia having inhumane working conditions. While a number of domestic workers are fortunate to find employment that does not compromise their dignity, it is common to our migrant kababayans to experience various forms of abuse and maltreatment in the hands of their employers. In extreme cases, Mr. Speaker, dear colleagues, the picture that emerges is one of modern day slavery. Domestic workers are deceived by recruiters and sold to employers whose practice is to confiscate important documents and withhold compensation, deprive them of food, medical care and other needs and periodically subject them to sexual abuse and other forms of violence. Domestic workers are voiceless against these abuses and in many instances, these have resulted in their death. This sordid reality, Mr.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2011 Speaker, dear colleagues, has been documented by the United Nations, International Labor Organization, civil society organizations, migrant organizations and even the Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs where our team went to Saudi Arabia in January to determine the living conditions of our kababayans in the Kingdom. To protect migrant domestic workers, Mr. Speaker, Akbayan proposes a two-track strategy that the Fifteenth Congress and our friends from foreign parliaments must take: engage processes that create an international framework for decent work for domestic workers, and develop policies on national migration to ensure the effective implementation of existing ones. A strong alliance among parliamentarians is crucial to this process. It has been a dog-eat-dog world. Abuses persist because labor-receiving countries and recruiters exploit the fact that the pool of unemployed in the developing world is wide and deep. Especially in the case of domestic work, they set bare minimum standards of employment, ridiculously low wages, long working hours and such factors that contribute to the inhumane working conditions that domestics experience. If a labor-sending country even so much as raises an issue regarding the terms of employment, the receiving country threatens to employ domestics from other countries instead. Developing countries are consistently on the losing end of the bargain, unable to protect domestic workers from abuse despite all the efforts to engage receiving countries, simply because this perverted system treats the employment of domestic workers as a competition, a race to the bottom among labor-sending countries. We must expect laborsending countries to organize recruiters and employers to maintain this front in the upcoming negotiations on decent work for domestic workers at the International Labor Conference in Geneva, in June. It is through the creation of a strong alliance that we, from Asia, can call labor-receiving countries and recruiters to account for their bad practices. After all, we, parliamentarians from Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and the Philippines, share the same humanitarian responsibility to ensure that the rights of our citizens are protected wherever they are in the world and whatever their work would be. Not only will this alliance put an end to the notion of competition among labor-sending countries, this will also provide us greater leverage against receiving countries, employers and recruiters, and help in setting fairer, more decent living conditions and compensation packages for our migrant domestic workers. The partnership that will be created today and tomorrow in this conference may also facilitate cooperation and easier exchange of information among the countries involved, which is especially crucial to the success of crackdowns on trafficking and illegal movement of peoples across borders and the effective enforcement of national policies on migration. Mr. Speaker, my dear colleagues, this alliance also sets the tone for the discussions on the prospects of a Southeast Asian framework for the protection of migrant workers rights that will be on the agenda of the Asean Inter-Parliamentary Assembly in September. In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, dear colleagues and dear guests, today is a historic moment for us, Members of the Fifteenth Congress, our friends from the parliaments of

WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2011 Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia and Sri Lanka, and the migrant domestic workers from these countries and their families. Today, we lend our collective voice to Asian domestic workers across the globe and declare our commitment to defend their rights and their welfare. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker, dear colleagues and dear guests. (Applause) THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). The Floor Leader is recognized. REP. BENALDO. Mr. Speaker, I move that we refer the privilege speech of Hon. Walden F. Bello to the appropriate committee. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). The speech of the distinguished Gentleman is referred to the appropriate committee. The Floor Leader is recognized. REP. BENALDO. Mr. Speaker, I request that we acknowledge the presence of some guests. We have the JCI international officers this afternoon, namely: Mr. Shinozuka Daizo, 2011 President of JCI; Futoshi Imai; Tatsushi Sato and Shougo Kanda. (Applause) We also have guests from the JCI Quezon City Capitol: Jaycees Ayie Gonzales, Dennis Garlit, Mike Siao and Don German; JCI Choong-ku: Jimmy Lee, Lee Kyung Sulo and JCI Singapore: Chris Chelo and Robert Wong. (Applause) THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). The guests are welcome to the House of Representatives. REP. BENALDO. Mr. Speaker, I also request that we acknowledge the presence of the Chinese delegation. We have them this afternoon headed by the Vice Chairman of the National Peoples Congress, PROC, the Hon. Jiang Shu Sheng. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). Welcome to the House of Representatives. (Applause) SUSPENSION OF SESSION REP. BENALDO. Mr. Speaker, I move that we suspend the session for a few minutes to give our colleagues time to greet our guests. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). In deference to the presence of our fellow parliamentarians from the other countries, the session is suspended for a few minutes to enable the Members of the House to meet with their fellow parliamentarians. The session is suspended for a few minutes. It was 4:29 p.m. RESUMPTION OF SESSION At 4:52 p.m., the session was resumed.
* See MEASURES CONSIDERED (printed separately)

11 THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). The session is resumed. The Sr. Dep. Majority Leader is recognized. CONSIDERATION OF H.B. NO. 4244 Continuation REP. GARIN (J.). Mr. Speaker, I move that we consider House Bill No. 4244, as contained in Committee Report No. 664, as reported out by the Committee on Population and Family Relations.* May I ask that the Secretary General be directed to read only the title of the measure. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). Is there any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the motion is approved. The Secretary General is directed to read only the title of the measure. With the permission of the Body, and since copies of the measure have been previously distributed, the Secretary General read only the title thereof without prejudice to inserting its text in the Congressional Record. THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 4244, entitled: AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A COMPREHENSIVE POLICY ON RESPONSIBLE PARENTHOOD, REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH, AND POPULATION AND DEVELOPMENT, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. REP. GARIN (J.). Mr. Speaker, upon representation of the Chairman of the Committee on Population, allow us to manifest that he has signified that Hon. Rodante D. Marcoleta, one of the Sponsors of the bill, will defend this measure. I, therefore, move that we recognize Hon. Rodante D. Marcoleta to sponsor House Bill No. 4244. REP. GARCIA (P.). Mr. Speaker. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). Yes, the Gentleman from Cebu is recognized. REP. GARCIA (P.). In view of the sudden turn of events, I have some unfinished business with the previous Sponsor who is not apparently willing to continue with the interpellation. So, in that case, I will wait for that time when he will resume the sponsorship of the measure. REP. GARIN (J.). Mr. Speaker. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). Yes, the Sr. Dep. Majority Leader is recognized. REP. GARIN (J.). It is understoodin due time. May I make the proper motion that the interpellation of Hon. Pablo Pabling P. Garcia be suspended to allow the other Members to interpellate the Sponsors of said measure. REP. LAGMAN. Mr. Speaker.

12 THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). Yes, the distinguished Sponsor of the bill is recognized. REP. LAGMAN. I am ready, willing and able any time to be interpellated by the distinguished Gentleman from Cebu, but I understand that there are other Members of the House who have listed themselves to interpellate. There are also other Members of the House who would like to co-sponsor the measure, that is why we are to give way to them. At any event, the records would show that the distinguished Gentleman from Cebu has already consumed one hour and 20 minutes in excess of the one hour allocated to him. REP. GARCIA (P.). With all due respect, Mr. Speaker, I believe that the distinguished Sponsor is in serious error in his interpretation of the rules. The one-hour limit is on the main or principal speech; this is interpellation. My time here is on the time of the Sponsor. So, with that manifestation, Mr. Speaker, and considering that the distinguished Sponsor is not willing to be interpellated at this time, then this Representation will also wait until such time that he is ready to be interpellated by this Representation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. REP. GARIN (J.). Mr. Speaker. REP. LAGMAN. Mr. Speaker, the rules are very clear that an interpellator has only one hour if there are others listed who are ready to interpellate. REP. GARIN (J.). Mr. Speaker. REP. LAGMAN. A Member of this House cannot have the right to interpellate in perpetuity. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). The Chair would like to hear from the Majority Leader. REP. GARCIA (P.). Mr. Speaker. REP. GARIN (J.). Mr. Speaker, I move for a few minutes suspension of the session. REP. GARCIA (P). If the distinguished Sponsor is allergic of my interpellation

WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2011 RESUMPTION OF SESSION At 5:00 p.m., the session was resumed. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). The session is resumed. SUSPENSION OF SESSION THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). The session is suspended for a few minutes to replace the gavel of the Chair which was broken. The session is suspended just for a few minutes. It was 5:01 p.m. RESUMPTION OF SESSION At 5:01 p.m., the session was resumed. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). The session is resumed. REP. GARIN (J.). Thank you, Mr. Speaker. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). Yes, the Sr. Dep. Majority Leader is recognized. REP. GARIN (J.). Mr. Speaker, allow me to reiterate my previous motion that Hon. Rodante D. Marcoleta be recognized to sponsor House Bill No. 4244. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). All right. The parliamentary situation is that this bill is still in the period of sponsorship. The principal Sponsor, the Minority Leader, has resumed his seat, as well as the interpellator. So, the Chair does not find any necessity to rule on the point raised by the distinguished Gentleman from Cebu, Deputy Speaker Pablo Garcia. The Chair would now recognize, as part of the sponsorship, the Honorable Marcoleta, and we would also recognize the Gentleman, Hon. Roilo S. Golez, who, the Chair understands, will interpellate. Is the Chair correctly informed? REP. GOLEZ (R.). Mr. Speaker, this Representation would like to interpellate; however, I would like to interpellate the principal Sponsor of the bill. I have so many questions that I feel only he can answer. With due respect to our colleague, Congressman Marcoleta, whose expertise in the area is also beyond reproach, but I would like to insist that my interpellation be handled by the principal Sponsor of the bill. REP. MARCOLETA. Mr. Speaker, may I respond. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). Yes, the Chair would like to hear from the wisdom of the Majority Leader. REP. MARCOLETA. While I respect ...

SUSPENSION OF SESSION REP. GARIN (J.). Mr. Speaker, allow me to reiterate my motion to suspend the session for a few minutes. REP. GARCIA (P.). I am willing to accommodate the distinguished Sponsor. He is not correct that I have only one hour to interpellate. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). The session is suspended for a few minutes. It was 4:57 p.m.

THEDEPUTYSPEAKER(Rep.Daza).No,theMajorityLeader... REP. GONZALES (N.). Mr. Speaker.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2011 THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). The Majority Leader has been requested by the Chair to state his recommendation. REP. GONZALES (N.). Mr. Speaker, based on our practice, whoever is authorized by the distinguished Chairman of the sponsoring committee would be the principal Sponsor of the bill. So while we understand the desire of the distinguished Gentleman from Paraaque to interpellate the distinguished Gentleman from Albay, the Minority Leader, who was previously authorized by the Chairman of the sponsoring committee to defend the bill, may we likewise manifest as we have reiterated our manifestation a while ago that the distinguished Gentleman from Party-List Alagad is now the Member authorized by the Chairman of the sponsoring Committee to defend the bill on the floor. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). The position of the Majority Leader has been stated. For the information of the Honorable Golez, the Majority Leader has rendered the opinion that neither the Chair nor any other Member of the House can compel the principal Sponsor to answer the interpellation. In other words, the sponsoring group has the discretion to choose who would answer any interpellation on the floor. Now, we have to bear in mind that the whole structure and philosophy of interpellation is that the interpellation is done on the time of the Sponsor, and that the interpellators conduct the questions as guests of the Sponsor. So, since the principal Sponsor has relinquished his sponsorship to the Honorable Marcoleta, then the Gentleman from Paraaque would either have to interpellate the Sponsor now standing on the floor or wait until the distinguished principal Sponsor stands on the floor to conduct his interpellation. REP. GOLEZ (R.). Mr. Speaker, if I may respond. That may be true, we cannot compel the principal Sponsor to handle this Representations interpellation, but I think I can appeal to him. I, therefore, appeal to the principal Sponsor to be the one to take up my interpellation. I know I cannot compel him, but I am making this appeal. Earlier, the principal Sponsor said that he is prepared at any time to tackle the interpellation of the Gentleman from Cebu. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). The principal Sponsor is now on the floor. The Chair would like to hear from the principal Sponsor, Hon. Edcel C. Lagman. REP. LAGMAN. In answer to the appeal of the distinguished Gentleman from Paraaque, let me refer him to the records of this House on February 3, 2009 at 6:45 p.m. REP. GOLEZ (R.). Point of order REP. LAGMAN. When this Representation said THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). February 2009 is not a part of this Congress. REP. GARIN (J.). I move for a suspension of the session, Mr. Speaker. REP. LAGMAN. I have the floor, Mr. Speaker

13

REP. GOLEZ (R.). I do not know what is the relevance of that date. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). Please speak one at a time. REP. GOLEZ (R.). Mr. Speaker, this is REP. LAGMAN. I have the floor. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). The Gentlemen are requested to speak one at a time. REP. GOLEZ (R.). This is the year 2011. This Congress started in 2010. SUSPENSION OF SESSION THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). The session is suspended for a few minutes. It was 5:08 p.m. RESUMPTION OF SESSION At 5:15 p.m., the session was resumed. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). The session is resumed. REP. GARCIA (P.). Parliamentary Inquiry, Mr. Speaker. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). Parliamentary inquiry is raised by the Gentleman from Cebu. REP. GARCIA (P.). Yes, Mr. Speaker. The parliamentary inquiry situation as of this moment is that, I was supposed to interpellate the principal Sponsor of this bill. However, the principal Sponsor is unwilling to go on with the interpellation, and on my part also, I have begun my interpellation of the principal Sponsor, and I want to finish it with the principal Sponsor. However, one of the authors, the Honorable Marcoleta, will take over, so there cannot be any interpellation until he shall have delivered his sponsorship speech because he cannot be interpellated on the sponsorship speech of the Honorable Lagman. So, my inquiry is this: is the Honorable Marcoleta going to deliver a sponsorship speech? REP. GONZALES (N.). Mr. Speaker. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). The Majority Leader will respond. REP. GONZALES (N.). Mr. Speaker, our parliamentary status is that we are now in the period of interpellation. We have finished the period of sponsorship, and we have begun the period of interpellation. In fact, the Committee, through its authorized representative in the person of the Honorable

14 Lagman, had already been interpellatedif my recollection is correctthree times early this year by Hon. Antonio L. Tinio and by Hon. Amado S. Bagatsing, and he is still in the process of being interpellated by the Gentleman from Cebu. So, it is not correct to say that the distinguished Gentleman from Alagad would be delivering the sponsorship speech because, as I have said, we have gone through that phase, Mr. Speaker. May we likewise correct the impression that the Honorable Lagman is the principal Sponsor. The Committee is the principal Sponsor; it is not the Honorable Lagman. The only reason the Honorable Lagman, despite the fact that he is the Minority Leader, is allowed to defend the subject matter on the floor is the authority given to him by the Chairman of the sponsoring committee. So, it is now the Honorable Marcoleta who is being authorized by the Chairman of the sponsoring committee to answer any further interpellations. My recollection a while ago is that the distinguished Gentleman from Cebu has made a reservation that when the distinguished Gentleman, the Honorable Lagman, resumes the defense of the subject matter of the bill in question on the floor, he will resume his interpellation. In the meantime, it is the Gentleman from Alagad Party-List, the Honorable Marcoleta, who has been authorized by the Chairman of the sponsoring committee to answer interpellations that may be made by any Member of the House. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). Is the Gentleman from Cebu satisfied with the explanation of the Majority Leader? REP. GARCIA (P.). Mr. Speaker, if my memory serves me right, it was announced by Sr. Dep. Majority Leader Garin that Honorable Marcoleta would deliver his sponsorship speech. The records will show that. Besides, it would seem awkward that Honorable Marcoleta would be interpellated on the speech of Honorable Lagman because Honorable Marcoleta cannot affirm or deny the statements of Honorable Lagman because the position of Honorable Lagman on certain issues may not be the position of Honorable Marcoleta. That is just my inquiry, Mr. Speaker, but as I pointed out, the announcement by the Majority Leader was that Honorable Marcoleta was to deliver his sponsorship speech and I believe that is also the understanding of Honorable Marcoleta. So, which is which now? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). What is the pleasure of the Gentleman from Paraaque? REP. GOLEZ (R.). Mr. Speaker, I have decided to be very understanding and kind today and, therefore, I will accommodate the apparent reluctance of the principal author and I will be willing to interpellate the substitute, very worthy substitute, of course, Congressman Marcoleta. I would be willing. Anyway, the distinguished principal author is around, but I think I would like to manifest that since he has refused, he has forever forfeited the chance to be interpellated by this Representation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2011 THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). Before the interpellation, the Chair would like to clarify the situation for the other Members. This bill is a bill of the Committee on Population chaired by the honorable Gentleman from Biliran, Congressman Rogelio J. Espina. He delivered a sponsorship speech and after delivering his sponsorship speech, he authorized and delegated the Gentleman from Albay, Hon. Edcel C. Lagman, to continue the sponsorship of this bill. In other words, Congressman Lagman was appropriately delegated by the Chairman of the sponsoring Committee. So, the Chair would recognize the Gentleman from Alagad as having been authorized by the Chairman of the Committee himself to answer the interpellation. That, I think, should be put on the record for the information of all the Members. REP. GARCIA (P.). Mr. Speaker. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). Yes, the Gentleman from Cebu is recognized. REP. GARCIA (P.). For the record, may I also manifest that my interpellation of Honorable Lagman is not yet finished. It is a case of interrupted melody. So, the moment Honorable Lagman would be willing to be interpellated by this Representation, then, Mr. Speaker, I reserve my right to interpellate Honorable Lagman. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). The manifestation is noted. The Gentleman from Paraaque may now proceed to interpellate the distinguished Gentleman from Alagad. REP. GOLEZ (R.). Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. As I said, I will be very kind today, very accommodating. May I now ask whether our Gentleman, our friend from the Party-List Alagad, will be willing to answer the questions of this Representation. REP. MARCOLETA. Yes, Mr. Speaker. I would also like to thank the distinguished Representative from Paraaque for settling in what is being interpreted as an inferior Member. I just hope that this is not an indication of my incompetence in handling or responding to the interpellation of this major bill. Thank you very much. I am now prepared to respond. REP. GOLEZ (R.). On the contrary, Mr. Speaker, I am more afraid to interpellate our distinguished colleague from PartyList Alagad because I know he is the superior Sponsor and author of the bill, a much better articulator of the principles behind the RH bill. That is the reason I hesitated to interpellate him because I consider him a greater superior. Palagay ko mas magaling si Congressman Marcoleta kaysa kay Congressman Lagman. May I start now, Mr. Speaker. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). The Gentleman may proceed. REP. GOLEZ (R.). Can I have the first slide please, on House Bill No. 4244.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2011 Distinguished Sponsor, alam ninyo, napansin ko itong House Bill number ninyo, House Bill No. 4244, ang isang bagay na nakatawag ng pansin sa akin ay iyong number 4. Masyadong maraming number 4 doon sa number ng inyong bill. Kayo po ba ay naniniwala sa Chinese numerology? REP. MARCOLETA. Hindi po ako naniniwala. REP. GOLEZ (R.). Ah, hindi po, okay. Alam ninyo, sa Chinese numerology, number 4and I would like to go to the next slide. Ang ibig sabihin ng number 4, if I may quote: Number 4 sounds like the Chinese word for death and is considered unlucky. Products coming from China will not have the number 4 in their names. Trains, buses, airplanes and hotels avoid number 4 on room numbers, flight numbers and even floor numbers. A good host never serves four dishes in the meal, and gifts are never given in fours. This looks like a bad omen as far as this Representation is concerned. In fact, we have many respected FilipinoChinese and I do believe that they accede to this numerology, the number 4. Parang nakakatakot kasi na kamatayan ang ibig sabihin; parang pro-death instead of pro-life ang dating. Hindi ho ba? REP. MARCOLETA. Huwag po kayong matakot, Mr. Speaker, sapagkat kung natatandaan po ninyo, iyong World War II, apat din po ang bilangthe Big Four: Vittorio Orlando ng Italya, Woodrow Wilson ng Amerika, Georges Clemenceau ng Pransya, at saka iyong sa Great Britain, medyo nakalimutan ko. REP. GOLEZ (R.). Anong world war ho ito? REP. MARCOLETA. Iyon po iyong Big Four REP. GOLEZ (R.). World War II, sinabi ninyo. REP. MARCOLETA. sila po iyong, sila po iyong pumigil REP. GOLEZ (R.). Anong world war ho ito? REP. MARCOLETA. World war REP. GOLEZ (R.). Kasi iyong sinabi ninyo ay World War II, pero sa panahon ng World War I po iyong mga binanggit ninyong mga pangalan. REP. MARCOLETA. World War I. REP. GOLEZ (R.). World War II REP. MARCOLETA. Pasensiya na po. REP. GOLEZ (R.). Mussolini po ng Italy noong World War II. REP. MARCOLETA. Opo, apat na tao rin po. Apat na tao ang pumigil pansamantala hanggang sa nagkaroon po ng

15 tinatawag nating peace time. So, hindi po kamatayan. Apat na tao po ang namagitan upang mapigil sandali ang World War I, kaya po tayo nagkaraoon ng kaunting katahimikan. Sa aking palagay po, ang bilang na apat ay hindi kamatayan kundi nagbabadya ng kapayapaan. REP. GOLEZ (R.). By the way, sa pagkaalaala ko po, noong World War I ay wala pong Big Four. Noong World War II, mayroong Big Four. Ang Big Four ay United States, Russia, United Kingdom and, at that time, China. Nagkaroon sila ng komperensya, iyong Potsdam Conference na tinatawag. Marahil marami ang makaaalala na naroon si Roosevelt, Churchill, Stalin at Chiang Kai-Shek doon sa picture na iyan. Kaya, World War II po iyong Big Four at hindi po World War I. REP. MARCOLETA. Hindi po. Kayo po ang nagsabi kanina ng World War I, ngayon po pinipilit ninyong World War II. Hindi ko na po maintindihan kung saan po pupunta ito. REP. GOLEZ (R.). Hindi, kaya nga. Kasi iyong pangalang ibinigay ninyo ... REP. MARCOLETA. Samakatuwid ... REP. GOLEZ (R.). Iyong pangalang ibinigay ninyo ay pang-World War I. REP. MARCOLETA. Pagkatapos po ng interpellation na ito, bigyan ninyo lang po ako ng dalawang araw at ipadadala ko po sa inyo ang historical record para makita po natin. Churchill po ng Amerika, Clemenceau ng Pransya, Orlando ng Italya, at saka nga po iyong sa Great Britain. Ito po iyong Big Four. Ito po ay nakatala sa ating kasaysayan. Whether World War I or World War II, ang pinag-uusapan lang po natin ay iyong bilang na apat. That is the relevance kasi po inilagay po ninyo sa inyong PowerPoint. However, palagay ko po irrelevant naman po ang pinag-uusapan natin. Let us get on with it. Doon sa kung ano po iyong bill, doon na po tayo. REP. GOLEZ (R.). Gusto ko lang i-correct, si Churchill ay sa England po at hindi po sa US. Si Roosevelt po ang sa US. REP. MARCOLETA. Iyon na nga po. Salamat po. Puntahan na po natin iyong bill. REP. GOLEZ (R.). Okay. Ngayon, puntahan natin iyong bill. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). The Chair would like to request the two Gentlemen on the floor to speak one at a time. REP. GOLEZ (R.). Thank you po. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). The transcribers would have a hard time transcribing this brilliant and interesting debate if both will speak at the same time. REP. MARCOLETA. We apologize, Mr. Speaker.

16 REP. GOLEZ (R.). Hindi lang po mapigil sapagkat kapag mayroon pong mga historical inaccuracies which are very relevant, hindi natin mapipigilan iyan. It was he who introduced the Big Four. Anyway, I would like to go to a press statement from the distinguished Gentleman from Albay, dated July 2. Ito iyong the day after July 1 which was the first day of the filing of billsthe press release from Representative Edcel C. Lagman. Nakalagay po rito: Reproductive health advocates renewed their bid xxx. By the way, ano pala ang original number ng House Bill? REP. MARCOLETA. Hindi ko po matandaan. Nasa record po iyan. REP. GOLEZ (R.). Ang original number po ay No. 96. REP. MARCOLETA. Maaari po. REP. GOLEZ (R.). Maybe the distinguished colleague can consult his friend from Albay. REP. MARCOLETA. Ito po ay 96. REP. GOLEZ (R.). No. 96. Okay, No. 96. Ngayon, mayroon pong inilabas na press release si Congressman, our distinguished colleague from Albay. Nakalagay dito: Reproductive health advocates renewed their bid for the enactment of an RH Law with the filing of its principal proponent, Rep. Edcel C. Lagman, of the controversial measure as House Bill No. 03 in the Fifteenth Congress. Pwede ho bang malaman kung bakit House Bill No. 03 ang nakalagay dito sa press statement na ito, when in fact, it turned out to be 96? You know there is a big difference between 3 and 96. Siguro kung 3-0 at 0-3, puwedeng magkamali. Paano ho nangyari ito? Kasi alam ninyo, nagtaka ako rito sapagkat nagulat ako na bakit naging House Bill No. 3 ito. REP. MARCOLETA. Mr. Speaker, madali po sigurong maituwid iyan. Siguro administrative lapses lang iyan. Pero, ang gusto ko po sana, pag-usapan na po natin iyong bill. REP. GOLEZ (R.). No. This is very important, Mr. Speaker. We all know that numbering is very important in authorship. When your House bill number is earlier than another number, then you become the principal author and the next guy becomes only the coauthor. Authorship, as we all know, is very important here. Kaya nagtataka ako kasi Number 96 ang lumabas. My House bill, which a lot of people considered as counter to House Bill No. 96, is House Bill No. 13, and then it came out all of a sudden, there is this press release. Alam ninyo, noong mabalitaan ko ito, Mr. Speaker, dahil alam niyo naman ang nangyayari kapag first day, nakapila iyong mga chiefs of staff natin, agawan ng numero. Sinabihan ako ng aking chief of staff, Mr. Speaker, na iyong first 10 slots had been allocated already or reserved, dahil nakapila sila, to another colleague of ours from one to 10. That colleague of ours was not the distinguished Gentleman from Albay. Then all of a sudden, I saw this press statement na nakalagay,

WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2011 Number 3. So, nagulat ako. Sabi ko, paano nangyari iyan na magiging Number 3, alam ko naka-allocate ito sa isang another colleague of ours. You know, Mr. Speaker, this is very important sapagkat maaring dayain iyong number. The Secretary General is very aware of this. I was advised by the people in the Bills and Index Service (BIS) na may pressure daw para maging Number 3 ang isang bill. Pero sinabi ko sa mga taga-BIS and I also informed the Secretary General. Sabi ko, huwag na huwag ninyong gagawin iyan sapagkat kapag binago ninyo iyong numero, and I looked at the logbook, wala talaga roon iyong RH Bill as Number 3. Sabi ko, kapag binago ninyo iyan, magkakagulo tayo at baka may maOmbudsman sa inyo for falsifying the record. Mabuti na lang at hindi ito natuloy. Pero nagtataka pa rin ako kung bakit naging House Bill No. 3 itong press statement niya. Because of this, Mr. Chairman, may mga ibang media personalities, like for example, if we go to the next slide, RG Cruz, isang kilalang TV reporter ng ABS-CBN, na gumawa ng blog niya at doon sinabi niya na House Bill No. 3. So, medyo naloko siya nitong press statement na ito kaya ginamit niya ang House Bill No. 3. Also, in Bombo Radyo Philippines in Legazpi City, in the province of the distinguished author, iyon rin ang ginamit, House Bill No. 3. So, ang ipinagtataka ko po ay kung bakit nagkaroon ng attempt na baguhin ang numero ng House bill sa halip na House Bill No. 96, which is far away. Alam ninyo, Mr. Speaker, kung sana House Bill No. 31, pwede pang sabihin natin na nagkamali, but having said that, I will not belabor the point. I just would like to say that this is a press statement, a false press statement, false statement number one. Pangalawa po, noong ang ating kasamang Mambabatas na si Cong. Manny Pacquiao asked the principal author about certain provisions of the Labor Code, ano ang sagot ng ating kasama? Sabi niya, Sa palagay ko noong itong amendment hinggil dito sa provision na ito ay ipinadala namin sa Committee on Population and Family Relations at pinagusapan dito sa plenaryo, nag-eensayo ang ating magiting na Congressman doon sa laban niya kay Mosley, at hindi niya nalaman na itong provision na ito ay amended na. A very categorical statementamended na. Wala na po riyan, tinanggal na and its entirety. Just to refresh the memory of all of us here, may I ask for the video of this statement. (Video showing) At this juncture, the Presiding Officer relinquished the Chair to Deputy Speaker Lorenzo R. Taada III. REP. GOLEZ (R.). Sorry for the technical problems, Mr. Speaker. With your indulgence and patience. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Taada). The Speaker would like to find out how long will be the laying of the predicate before the question. REP. GOLEZ (R.). One minute, not even if this technical problem can be surmounted, Mr. Speakeranyway, maybe that can be handled later. Let me state that there was that categorical statement amended na. It was not a conditional statement, but a categorical statement amended na. May I pose a parliamentary inquiry, Mr. Speaker? Mr. Speaker, how is a bill amended? Can it be amended before the period of amendments?

WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2011 THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Taada). The Sr. Dep. Majority Leader is recognized. REP. GARIN (J.). Mr. Speaker, in the Second Reading, we have the period of sponsorship and debate, and the period of amendments, which actually comprises the committee amendments, as well as the individual amendments. Insofar as I have been exposed to the House procedure, the practice is that at the level of the committee or even after acceptance, committee amendments are placed into writing and will be read at the proper time. However, Mr. Speaker, REP. GOLEZ (R.). Mr. Speaker, REP. GARIN (J.). I believe that these amendments are REP. GOLEZ (R.). If I may interject THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Taada). Let the Sr. Dep. Majority Leader finish REP. GOLEZ (R.). Mr. Speaker, if I may interject, the question is very simple. There is no however here. I am just referring to the Rules, Mr. Speaker. REP. GARIN (J.). The rule, Mr. Speaker, is that the incorporation of the committee amendment will be due on the floor during the period of committee amendments on the basis of what will be submitted by the committee. The statement of the Honorable Lagman where he mentioned when these proposed committee amendments were submitted to the Committee on Population, I believe, Mr. Speaker, that is in order because the committee amendments will undergo approval. REP. GOLEZ (R.). Mr. Speaker, that is not my question. May I go to the next parliamentary inquiry. May I know, Mr. Speaker, during the time that the distinguished author, our colleague from Albay, said that amended na itong House Bill No. 4244, my parliamentary inquiry is, is that true or false? Amended na ba o hindi pa? REP. MARCOLETA. May I answer that, Mr. Speaker. REP. GOLEZ (R.). No. REP. MARCOLETA. Let us not REP. GOLEZ (R.). The parliamentary inquiry is not answerable by the Sponsor. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Taada). The Sr. Dep. Majority Leader is recognized. REP. GOLEZ (R.). It is answerable by the Chair. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Taada). The Sr. Dep. Majority Leader is recognized. REP. GARIN (J.). Mr. Speaker, allow me to review the record of the House because unlike others who are really that intelligent, I do not have a photographic memory and I cannot

17 exactly recall the words of the distinguished Minority Leader. If the Honorable Golez will allow me to request that REP. GOLEZ (R.). The words are reflected there; it is a very categorical statement. Mr. Speaker, REP. GARIN (J.). Mr. Speaker, allow me to refer to the records of this House. REP. GOLEZ (R.). The reply is very evasive. The question is very simple. Na-amend ba o hindi? THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Taada). The Chair will rule. We are not yet in the period of amendments, but it is the understanding of the Speaker that it does not stop the Sponsor to have the initiative to inform the committee in advance of his intention to amend certain sections. REP. GOLEZ (R.). Precisely, Mr. Speaker, the statement is very clear: amended na. I think any elementary student of English will interpret that as a categorical statement na amended na. The question now, is it true or false? Amended na ba o hindi pa? THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Taada). It is the position of the Speaker that, at this point, the particular section has not yet been amended. But it does not REP. GOLEZ (R.). Thank you very much. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Taada). Let the Speaker finish his statement. It does not stop the Sponsor from withdrawing a particular section if he intends not to pursue it and declare it on the floor. REP. GOLEZ (R.). Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you for supporting my statement that it has not been amended. Therefore, it is the position of this Representation that this statement is a false statement, similar to the press statement. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Taada). I would like again to state for the record, yes, it has not yet been amended per se because we are not yet in the period of amendments. But the honorable Sponsor has stated his intention to withdraw the section and no longer fight for the said section when the time comes during the period of amendments. That is a clear statement and I think when we go to the period of amendments, that would be the intention of the Sponsor because they are withdrawing the section. REP. GOLEZ (R.). Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Parang ganito iyan. It is like whether a woman is pregnant or not. Hindi pwedeng semi-pregnant iyong isang babae. It is either yes or no. That is the essence of my question. Has it been amended or not? The answer, as far as this Representation is concerned, is that it has not been amended irrespective of the intention. An intention cannot amend a bill, Mr. Speaker. We all know that. Therefore, it is the position of this Representation that the principal author answered in a very condescending way, in his opinion. Pati ba naman iyong laban niya kay Mosley ay binanggit dito na parang gusto niyang lansihin iyong ating kasama, at mabuti na lamang na in the course of the

18 interpellation, mismong si Congressman Pacquiao, in a very surprising way, was the one who pointed out na hindi pa amended iyong bill na iyon. It was a case of a neophyte Congressman educating a very veteran Congressman. I would like to congratulate Congressman Pacquiao for educating a veteran Congressman, Mr. Speaker. Now, may I go to the next item Reproductive Rights. Ang Reproductive Health Bill ba, distinguished colleague from Alagad, ay inspired ng International Conference on Population and Development, ICPD 94? REP. MARCOLETA. Inspired? Ano po ba ang REP. GOLEZ (R.). Inspired or based on ICPD 94. I think the authors keep on mentioning this. REP. MARCOLETA. Maaari po, maari ring hindi. REP. GOLEZ (R.). Mr. Speaker, perhaps the distinguished defender can consult his panel and with due respect, because we are not asking here simply about the thinking of the distinguished author but of the committee. REP. MARCOLETA. Hindi po. Tinatanong po ninyo kung inspired ng ICPD 94. Ang sagot ko po ay maaari. Maari rin pong hindi inspired. REP. GOLEZ (R.). All right. Kasi alam ninyo, ang ICPD 94, International Conference on Population and Development, dito na-define sa unang pagkakataon sa aking pagkakaalam ang reproductive rights and reproductive health. In fact, the womens movement would always mention this, if I am not mistaken. Ang nakalagay dito, Reproductive health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being in all matters relating to the reproductive system, and its functions and processes. It implies that people have the capability to reproduce and the freedom to decide if when and how often to do it, et cetera. I would like now to refer to House Bill No. 4244 and intercalate or overlap the ICPD 94 with House Bill No. 4244, particularly Section 4, on Definition of Terms. Nakalagay dito, Reproductive Health refers to the state of complete physical, mental and social well-being. The phrase state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing, was lifted from ICPD 94. in all matters relating to the reproductive system and to its functions and processes, again was lifted verbatim from ICPD 94. With respect to Reproductive Health Care, in Section 4, it says: It also includes sexual health, the purpose of which is the enhancement of life and personal relations, and again, verbatim, this was lifted from ICPD 94. (a) family planning information and services; verbatim, lifted from ICPD 94. (b) breastfeeding; mentioned in ICPD 94. (c) management of abortion complications; verbatim, lifted from ICPD 94. (e) of Section 4, reproductive tract infections, again, lifted verbatim from ICPD 94. (g) education and counseling on sexuality and reproductive health, verbatim, lifted from ICPD 94. (k) reproductive health education for the adolescents, lifted from ICPD 94.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2011 Unless, these are pure coincidences, Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask our distinguished defender, distinguished author, whether it is correct when I said that the phrases I mentioned were lifted, verbatim, from ICPD 94 or are these just coincidences? REP. MARCOLETA. Coincidences or no coincidences, Mr. Speaker, everybody quotes the Webster dictionary. We lift the definition from the Merriam-Webster, Webster, or whatever. It is not important whether or not it was lifted from a source. What is important is if that definition fits into a national objective, and the developmental objective in filing or in drafting a national bill that will ensure the protection and human development of our citizens. What is wrong in a very good definition? I am sure that in defining this bill and in arraying all the terminologies with their definitions, they have taken the liberty of getting the consent of those responsible for in defining these phrases and phraseologies. I do not think there is a problem with that, Mr. Speaker, provided that the definition is good, the definition is within the public policy, the definition is acceptable, and the definition suits our national goal. REP. GOLEZ (R.). In that case, I will make a declaration, Mr. Speaker, my considered declaration that the phrases were lifted. There is no way that those phrases could have appeared almost verbatim in House Bill No. 4244 without copying them from the ICPD. I am not saying that copying is bad. I am saying that these were lifted because it is an adoption of the reproductive health thrust of ICPD 94. I would like to request our distinguished author not to be too defensive because he was the one who said that this may be good. Now, the reason I cited this, Mr. Speaker, is that it is the considered opinion of this Representation as shown by the categorical verbatim lifting from ICPD 94 that the RH Bill has been inspired by ICPD 94. The ICPD 94, in its declaration, includes the following: All countries are called upon to strive to make reproductive health accessible to the primary health care system, et cetera, and such care will include inter alia, family planning, counseling, information, education, communication and services, education and services for pre-natal care, safe delivery... It is okaypost-natal careis that okay with the principal author?especially breastfeeding and infant and womens health care, prevention and treatment of infertilityagain verbatim, but this is the one I find very bothersomeabortion, as specified in paragraph 8.25. In other words, ICPD 94 includes abortion which is the principal basis for the reproductive health thrust, the reproductive health movement worldwide, Mr. Speaker. It is no surprise that many of the principal financiers of the ICPD include legal abortion in their statutes, and I find this very bothersome because the very inspiration of the Reproductive Health Bill in the Philippines includes abortion. May I seek the comment of our distinguished author, Mr. Speaker. REP. MARCOLETA. Mr. Speaker, ICPD 94 is a document in which the government of the Philippines is a signatory.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2011 While it is true that abortion appears in that document, we tend to get only the best practices that we can have. Abortion is not in the bill. As a matter of fact, that is a defining provision here that made it categorical that abortion is prohibited. As a matter of fact, abortion is penalized under the Revised Penal Code. We cannot legislate what we regard as a crime. The bill is open for scrutiny and review. We have not legislated any provision that would inspire abortion. It is to the contrary, Mr. Speaker. While we accept that the best practices of other nations can be replicated for our good if they suit our national interest, we cannot take those other things that are prohibited and criminal in this country. The bill is not about abortion. The bill is about life. REP. GOLEZ (R.). Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Ang ikinakaba ko lang, kasi iyong long-term agenda ng ICPD includes abortion. We all know that today, it may not be included, but the distinguished Sponsor knows that, being a lawyer, it can be amended. The abortion law can be amended at the proper time, since this is part of the very essence of reproductive health as defined by the ICPD 94. That is the worry of a lot of people objecting to this RH Bill, that the long-term plan, the long-term vision includes abortion. Having said that, let me go to my next slide. I think one of the personalities, the word personalities that is respected by the distinguished RH group, is State Secretary Hillary Clinton, one of the champions of the womens movement of the world. Is that a correct statement, Mr. Speaker? REP. MARCOLETA. Will you kindly repeat the statement? REP. GOLEZ (R.). Yes. I said that, I know that one of the champions of the RH Movement is State Secretary Hillary Clinton and often a guest in many reproductive health conferences worldwide. REP. MARCOLETA. I do not have any personal knowledge about that, Mr. Speaker, although I heard the Secretary of the State talked in one forum in Washington, D.C., where she made a statement that her government is supportive of the plight of womenbecause that particular forum was entitled, Women Deliver. REP. GOLEZ (R.). Yes, Women Deliver, June 2010 in Washington, D.C. REP. MARCOLETA. I suppose so, Mr. Speaker. REP. GOLEZ (R.). You were there, you cannot just suppose REP. MARCOLETA. I was there. REP. GOLEZ (R.). Yes. So, it was in Washington, D.C., June. Mr. Speaker, kaya po naman nangangamba ako kasi ang isa sa mga champions ng reproductive health movement ay si Secretary Hillary Clinton. Ito po ang sinabi ni Secretary Hillary Clinton noong March 30, 2010, a few days before that June 2010 conference, Women Deliver, in Washington, D.C., and I would like to quote: You cannot have maternal health without reproductive health, and reproductive health includes contraception and family planning, and access to legal, safe abortions.

19

Again, an RH champion mentioning abortion, Mr. Speaker. That is really very worrisome. It seems to me that in ICPD 94, they talked about abortion; now, one of the champions of the RH Movement, Secretary Hillary Clinton, also talking of abortion. REP. MARCOLETA. Huwag po kayong mag-alala, Mr. Speaker, sapagkat unang-una, ang ating bansa ay isang Kristiyanong bansa. Hindi po ako naniniwala na may isa sa atin o iyong mga susunod sa atin na magpapanukala ng isang batas na kikitil ng buhay ng ating mamamayan. Pangalawa po, in reference to that quotation from Mrs. Clinton, in fairness to her, Mr. Speaker, we cannot jump to a conclusion based on a single statement. It must be viewed in the entirety of her message because I cannot make any conclusion on the basis of a statement. I need to see the entire context of her message. Pagkatapos po, makikita niyo naman diyan ang sinabi niyang safe abortion. Hindi naman po niya sinasabi na iyong abortion na iyon ay i-include mo in the framework of a family planning system. Wala naman po siyang sinabing ganoon. Naroon din po ako noong nagsalita siya. Wala naman po siyang sinabi na ang abortion is one of those results of family planning system or reproductive health. REP. GOLEZ (R.). Mr. Speaker, ang boss ni Secretary Clinton ay si President Obama. President Obama is pro-abortion, Mr. Speaker. In other words, Secretary Clinton must be articulating the policy of her boss when she mentioned abortion. REP. MARCOLETA. It is unfair, Mr. Speaker, to conclude that way. Baka po iyong premise, magkamali naman tayo. Ibig po bang sabihin, kung maitim ang president, dapat magpakaitim na rin tayo? Hindi po ganoon. Sinabi po niya na sa abortionkasi may abortion law naman po sa Amerika. So, hindi naman po natin maikukumpara sapagkat sa ating bansa, kailanman ako ay naniniwala na hindi po natin papayagan ang isang batas na kikitil ng ating mamamayan. REP. GOLEZ (R.). Mr. Speaker, we are here for only three terms. If this RH Bill is passed, this bill is going to exist way beyond our three terms. We cannot preempt what the future Members of Congress will be doing. Baka naman iyan ang longterm plan ng RH movement dito na gayahin si Secretary Clinton. Naalala ko kahapon, ang principal author from Albay ay may binanggit na mga bansa. Sabi niya, itong mga bansang ito ay may RH na. Pero hindi niya idinagdag na marami sa mga bansang kanyang binggit ay mayroon ding abortion. Sinabi kanina, being a Christian country, hindi tayo pwedeng magkaroon ng abortion, but the countries that our distinguished friend from Albay mentioned are also Christian countries. A lot of them have abortion laws. Baka naman doon tayo pupunta at gagayahin natin iyon, pero step by step lang. Iyon ang kaba ng mga tao na kumokontra rito sa Reproductive Health Bill na ang long-term plan nito ay abortion as indicated very clearly by ICPD 94, as indicated very clearly, categorically, by one of their champions.

20 In fact, awardee pa nga siya ng Womens Movement, si Secretary Hillary Clinton, and she is talking about abortion as part of reproductive health. REP. MARCOLETA. Ang kagandahan po ng paksang usapang ganito, Mr. Speaker, ay nakikita mismo natin na maliwanag na ispekulasyon lamang po iyong kanilang pananaw na maaaring mapunta sa abortion. Hindi po. Iyon nga pong bill na ito ay patungo roon sa hangaring lalo nating ma-address iyong dami ng pangyayari na nagli-lead sa abortion sapagkat napakarami pong istatistika na pini-present, scientific evidence, na iyon pong mga pillsoral pillsay napatunayan na po at wala po ako masyadong panahon para i-present iyon, ngunit napakarami pong mga scientific at medical evidence na iyong babaeng umiinom ng pills ay mas maraming tsansa na hindi mapunta sa kaso ng abortion. REP. GOLEZ (R.). Wala pa po tayo sa pills. Hindi pa po pills iyong tinatanong ko, but I understand that the Rules Committee would like to have a suspension. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Taada). The Sr. Dep. Majority Leader is recognized. SUSPENSION OF SESSION REP. GARIN (J.). Mr. Speaker, I move for a few minutes suspension of the session in order to accommodate our guests from the Peoples Republic of China. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Taada). The session is suspended. It was 6:05 p.m. RESUMPTION OF SESSION At 6:06 p.m., the session was resumed with Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. presiding. THE SPEAKER. The session is resumed. The Sr. Dep. Majority Leader is recognized. REP. GARIN (J.). Mr. Speaker, allow us to acknowledge the presence of very distinguished people in the gallery. We have the Chinese delegation headed by Hon. Jiang Shusheng, the Vice Chairman of the National Peoples Congress; and we have the members of the delegation: Mr. Jiang Shusheng, Mr. Zhu Wenquan, Mr. Zhang Shaoqing, Ms. Bai Suning, Ms. Lu Wei, and Mr. Wang Wen, the Deputy Director General, Foreign Affairs Department, General Office, Standing Committee, NPC; Ambassador Tong Xiaoling, Asia Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Mr. Yu Jianhua, Director General, General Office, Standing Committee, National Peoples Congress; Mr. Gao Qi, Deputy Chief Editor, NPC of China Press; Mr. Xiong Wei, Director, Foreign Affairs Department, General Office, Standing Committee, NPC; Mr. Ge Tang, Deputy Director, Foreign Affairs Bureau, Asia Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Mr. Wang Tao, Secretary to Mr. Jiang Shusheng; Mr. Zhang Ke, Interpreter of IDCPC; Mr. Huang Gang, Staff Member, Asia Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and the officials from the Embassy. (Applause)

WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2011 THE SPEAKER. The Chair would like to officially and cordially welcome Mr. Jiang Shusheng, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National Peoples Congress, Peoples Republic of China, and his delegation. Welcome, we are happy that you are here. (Applause) The session is suspended. It was 6:08 p.m. RESUMPTION OF SESSION At 6:22 p.m., the session was resumed with Deputy Speaker Lorenzo R. Taada III presiding. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Taada). The session is resumed. The Sr. Dep. Majority Leader is recognized. REP. GARIN (J.). Mr. Speaker, I move that we resume the consideration of House Bill No. 4244, and I further move that we again recognize the Sponsor of said measure, Hon. Rodante D. Marcoleta, as well as Hon. Roilo S. Golez. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Taada). The Hon. Rodante D. Marcoleta and the Hon. Roilo S. Golez are recognized. Please proceed. REP. GOLEZ (R.). Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Kanina po, Mr. Speaker, during the very important break we had, mayroon akong mga naririnig na komentaryo na talagang napakahalaga ng number. Kasi ang isang tao na hindi ma-distinguish iyong number three at saka number 96, and this bill is full of numbers because population involves numberskung ang number 93 at saka number 96 ay hindi ma-distinguish, paano pa kung milyun-milyon na ang pinaguusapan at mga percentage growth? Lalo na sa ganoon siguro. Ngayon, punta po tayo sa isang batas, Republic Act No. 9710, otherwise known as the Magna Carta for Women. May I know if the distinguished author and Sponsor is familiar with the Magna Carta for Womena very new law approved on August 14, 2009? REP. MARCOLETA. Alam ko po iyan ngunit hindi ko po masasabing napaka-familiar po ako. Hindi ko po kabisado iyong ibang provisions ng batas na iyan. REP. GOLEZ (R.). But the distinguished author is familiar with the law. REP. MARCOLETA. Bilang abogado po, mayroon din po akong naiintindihan sa ating mga batas. REP. GOLEZ (R.). Thank you. Kasi importante po ito. Kasi alam ninyo, ang RH movement identifies with womens movement to a certain extent and since as far as the womens movement is concerned, Magna Carta for Women, kapag sinabing Magna Carta, the highest law for women is Republic Act No. 9710, even higher than RH. Kasi Magna Carta ho ito eh. At dapat alam ito ng mga defenders of the RH because the RH, in my opinion, would be subsumed under the Magna Carta.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2011 Now, I mentioned that, Mr. Speaker, because Section 17 of Republic Act No. 9710 enumerates the comprehensive health services that are supposed to be ensured access to various services. Narito po iyong mga bagay-bagay at makikita ninyo kapag binanggit ko ang mga health services na ito, at magugulat kayo sapagkat very familiar ito sa mga tao na familiar sa Reproductive Health Bill: 1) maternal care, to include pre- and post-natal services; 2) promotion of breastfeeding; 3) responsible ethical-legal safe and effective methods of family planning; 4) family and state collaboration, renewed sexualityeducation; 5) prevention and management of reproductive tract infections; 6) prevention and management of reproductive tract cancers like breast and cervical cancers; 7) prevention of abortion and management of pregnancy-related complications. May I know if the distinguished author and Sponsor, so far, is familiar with the terms I mentioned? REP. MARCOLETA. Familiar po ako, Mr. Speaker. REP. GOLEZ (R.). Number eight, in case of violence against women and children, women and children victims and survivors of cancer provided with comprehensive health services; 9) prevention and management of infertility and sexual dysfunction; 10) care for the elderly; 11) management, treatment and intervention of mental health problems. Then under (b) comprehensive health information and education; balik na naman sa formation of a persons sexuality, family planning, fertility awareness, et cetera. May I know if the distinguished author and Sponsor is familiar with the terms I enumerated. REP. MARCOLETA. I am familiar, Mr. Speaker. REP. GOLEZ (R.). He should be, Mr. Speaker, because he is the author of House Bill No. 4244. Mr. Speaker, may I present House Bill No. 4244 in relation to Republic Act No. 9710. In this Representations opinion, practically 90 percent of the services being mentioned under House Bill No. 4244 are already contained in the Magna Carta for Women, and therefore it is superfluous, redundant and unnecessary. REP. MARCOLETA. Mr. Speaker, iyong Magna Carta for Women ay isa pong batas na talagang makatutulong sa kapakanan ng ating mga kababaihan. Ngunit sa Magna Carta po, hindi naman po lahat ng pangangailangan ng ating kababaihan ay naroon. Kayo na rin po ang nagsabi, Mr. Speaker, na ito pong inenumerate ninyong services ay medical services lamang. Alalahanin po ninyo, sa titulo pa lamang ng bill, ang pinaguusapan po natin ay responsible parenthood, reproductive health and population development. Samakatuwid, may ilang bahagi lamang ng Magna Carta for Women ang maaaring naintegrate dito sa RH bill o H.B. No. 4244. Halimbawa

21 REP. GOLEZ (R.). If I may continue, I am the one interpellating. I will continue, Mr. Speaker. Ngayon REP. MARCOLETA. Hindi pa po REP. GOLEZ (R.). Distinguished author, kasi hindi pa tapos iyong question ko. REP. MARCOLETA. hindi pa po ako tapos. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Taada). Let the Sponsor finish his answer first. REP. GOLEZ (R.). Mr. Speaker, I am the one interpellating. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Taada). This is yes. REP. GOLEZ (R.). He is already touching on a topic which I have not yet asked. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Taada). Let him continue his answer REP. GOLEZ (R.). Mr. Speaker. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Taada). because your question is not answerable by yes or no. REP. GOLEZ (R.). Mr. Speaker, he is going ahead of me. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Taada). Let him finish his answer. REP. GOLEZ (R.). Please, Mr. Speaker THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Taada). We are going to REP. GOLEZ (R.). I beg your objectivity. You are an author. Mr. Speaker, you are an author of this bill. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Taada). Is my name in the list of authors? REP. GOLEZ (R.). You are identified with the RH movement, Mr. Speaker. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Taada). My name is not listed as one of the authors. It is a false ... REP. GOLEZ (R.). I beg your objectivity, Mr. Speaker. If I may proceed. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Taada). Please let the Sponsor just answer and then you can continue with your question. REP. GOLEZ (R.). No, he is going ahead of my question. My question now would be this. Mr. Speaker, kung iyong mga provisions na nakalagay sa House Bill No. 4244 ay

22 maipakita ko sa inyo na naroon na rin sa Magna Carta for Women, papayag ba kayo na i-delete iyong mga provisions na iyon? Kasi ang mga iyon ay superfluous, redundant, unnecessary at kinopya lang. REP. MARCOLETA. Hindi naman po natin masasabi na komo iyong isang termino o phraseology na nasa isang batas na ay kailangan nang tanggalin sa isang panukalang batas, sapagkat mayroon naman pong goal na ina-achieve ang RH Bill sa kanyang pangkalahatan. Ito pong RH Bill is directed towards human development. Hindi naman po sa ating kababaihan lang. Ang sabi ko nga po sa inyo kanina, mayroon pong mga ibang bagay sa RH Bill na hindi rin naman naintegrate doon sa Magna Carta for Women. Totoo nga po, mayroon pa nga ho tayong batas na, halimbawa po iyong batas na napas na natin, na ang isang battered woman ay may karapatan na kitlin ang buhay ng asawa niyang nananakit sa kanya at wala siyang pananagutan civilly or criminally. Ibig bang sabihin, komo mayroon na pong ganoon, wala na tayong ipapanukala para i-enhance natin ang kapakanan ng ating kababaihan? Mayroon pong ibang objective ang RH Bill na napakalaki po at comprehensive na kung babasahin po ninyo at pagsisikapan ninyong basahin, iyong responsible parenthood lamang po na naka-integrate po sa bill na ito ay napakalawak po ng kanyang nasasakupan. Isama ninyo pa iyong population and development. Samakatuwid, ito po ay isang bill na ang trajectory ay nakatuon sa comprehensive human development. Kaya kung halimbawa man po, mayroon pong nasagi roon sa Magna Carta na makatutulong naman dito sa lalong ikalilinaw ng RH Bill or H.B. No. 4244, inaakala ko na pang-suporta po at hindi panlaban, kung hindi ito po ay nakatutulong upang lalong isulong ang mga adhikain nitong bill na ito hindi lamang para sa kababaihan kundi sa ikalalaganap ng ating mga mamamayan. REP. GOLEZ (R.). Salamat po. Ipagpapatuloy ko po. Ipakikita ko po, Mr. Speaker, ang mga probisyon ng House Bill No. 4244, Section 4, under Reproductive Health Care which, sa aking palagay, ito iyong pinaka-puso ng RH kasi ang original term, reproductive health, idinagdag na lang iyong responsible parenthood.. Parang mga sugar-coating na rin ito. Wala iyan dati eh. Pero nauso iyong responsible parenthood, inilagay na para masaya iyong marami. Pero ito ay babanggitin ko. Letter (b) of Section 4 of House Bill No. 4244: maternal, infant and child health and nutrition. Section 17(a) of Republic Act No. 9710, ito po iyong Magna Carta for Women: Maternal care, infant health and nutrition. Almost word for word. Sunod. Letter (a) ng House Bill No. 4244, family planning information and services. Section 17(a) No. 3. Effective methods of family planning. Letter (c). Proscription of abortion and management of abortion complications. Sa Republic Act No. 9710, A-7: Prevention of abortion and management of pregnancy-related complications. Almost word for word. Alam ninyo, kung ito ay term paper ko sa UP, tanggal na ako for plagiarism. By the way, Mr. Speaker, I reviewed the Explanatory Note of the principal author and there is no reference to the Magna Carta for Women, but the provisions as I will indicate have been liberally copiedkinopya. I will continue: letter (d), doon sa panukalang batas, adolescent and youth reproductive health; nakalagay dito, Youth sexuality, educate their

WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2011 children. Letter (e), ito ang talagang napakaganda, nasa House Bill No. 4244, prevention and management of reproductive tract infections ((RTIs), HIV and AIDS and other sexually transmittable infections (STIs); doon naman sa Republic Act No. 9710, sa batas ay nakalagay doon, Prevention and management of reproductive tract infections including sexually transmitted diseases, HIV and AIDS. Almost verbatim copy. Letter (f), elimination of violence against women; sa Republic Act No. 9710, In cases of violence against women. Letter (g) education and counseling on sexuality and reproductive health, doon po sa panukalang batas iyan, narito: Information and education versus sexuality, human dignity. Letter (h), sa panukalang batas, treatment of breast and reproductive tract cancers and other gynecological conditions and disorders; sa Republic Act No. 9710, sa Magna Carta for Women, Prevention and management of reproductive tract cancers, like breast and cervical cancers and other gynecological conditions and disorders. Almost verbatim. Letter (i), male responsibility and participation in reproductive health, and letter (j) treatment of infertility and sexual dysfunction; doon naman sa Magna Carta for Women, Prevention and management of infertility and sexual dysfunction. Letter (k), reproductive health education, and letter (l) mental healthnaroon din po. So, Mr. Speaker, I have shown very clearly na itong Panukalang Batas na 4244 ay halos kinopya lang doon almost word for word without attribution. Kinopya roon sa existing law, and Magna Carta for Women. Alam ninyo, kapag ganitong kinopya lang, redundant. Dapat ibasura talaga ang bill na ito, as far as these provisions are concerned. Kasi inulit na eh. Bagong-bago ang batas na ito, 2009 lamang, at kinopya ng kung sino man, iyong gumawa nitong bill na ito and very clearly, this is redundant. We have no need for this, Mr. Speaker, because this is already highjacking. This is like repacking something and then making it appear as though this is your own when it is not. Ngayon, pinag-uusapan natin iyong plagiarism sa Supreme Court, and here we are. This is even worse than the plagiarism in the Supreme Court. Mr. Speaker, may I know, paano nangyari ito na word for word, nilift at nilagay sa panukalang batas na hindi naman kailangan? REP. MARCOLETA. Mr. Speaker, alam po ninyo, kung ang isang bagay ay inuulit-ulit na binibigkas, lalung-lalo na po kung inilalagay sa panukalang batas, lalo lamang sigurong napagtitibay ang kahalagahan ng mga bagay na inuulit. Halimbawa, ako, kapag sinabi mo bang mahal mo ang asawa mo, sampung beses isang araw, redundant ba iyon? Iyon po ay nag-iigting lamang kung gaano mo kamahal ang asawa mo. Bagamat iyong mga iba, siguro kaplastikan na ngunit wala po akong nakikitang depekto kung sakaling nauulit. Ang katotohanan po ay iyong mga conferees noong Magna Carta ay nagsipag-pirma po sila, na sinabi po roon sa kanilang conference committee report na: With reservation, without prejudice to the passage of the Reproductive Health Bill. Ang ibig pong sabihin, kahit na po nagkaroon na ng Magna Carta, alam naman nila na may kakulangan po naman talaga iyon. Halimbawa, nakalagay po ba roon ang freedom of choice? Wala po. So, ang dami po nito. Ayaw ko na lang pong tuntunin lahat kasi gusto ko simple na lang ang exchange natin ng paliwanagan. Napakarami po nito. Ibibigay ko po sa inyo ang listahan ng mga probisyon ng RH Bill na wala po

WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2011 roon sa Magna Carta at ito po ay ibibigay ko sa inyong opisina pagkatapos po ng ating paksang usapin. Samakatuwid po, ang gusto naming sabihin, Mr. Speaker, ay hindi po masama. Mas nakabubuti po sigurong ulit-ulitin ang isang salita kung ito naman po ay nakapagbibigay ng isang katibayan o confirmation ng pagmamahal natin sa kababaihan. REP. GOLEZ (R.). Mr. Speaker, alam po ninyo na sa larangan ng pag-ibig, at ito ay binanggit na ng ating romantikong kaibigan mula sa Alagad Party-List, ang isang babae kapag paulit-ulit mong sinabihan ng I love you, baka magduda. Ano kayang ginawang masama nitong asawa kong ito at parating nagsasabi ng I love you? Ganoon ho. REP. MARCOLETA. Sinabi ko nga po iyon eh, kaya bago ninyo masabi, inunahan ko na kayo. REP. GOLEZ (R.). Kaya nga, kaya nakakapagduda, kaya lalo hong nagdududa kapag inuulit ito. Alam ninyo, lahat naman tayo rito, including the Speaker at ang ating mabuting kaibigan sa Party-List Alagad ay matagal na ho sa gawaing ito. Kapag mayroon tayong tinatalakay na panukalang batas at mayroong nakita sa probisyon na naroon na sa isang existing law na bagung-bago, sinasabi natin: Ay, iyang probisyon na iyan is already existing, so you better delete because it is already superfluous. In fact, the word superfluous is usually being used. Ito ay superfluous na kasi narito na sa isang bagong batas, so sabi ko nga, kinopya lang ito. This is not original. In fact, parang minsan, ang ginagawa naman ng iba ay nire-repack ang isang bagay to make it appear his own when in fact it is not; it is not originally his. It is, to my mind, plagiarism because there is no attribution. In fact, we have a rule, Mr. Speaker, that if you re-file a bill and that is a bill of another congressman or a former congressman, we have to attribute that to that congressman, but in this case, I reviewed the Explanatory Note and there is no attribution to the Magna Carta for Women. May I know, Mr. Speaker, why the Magna Carta for Women was not attributed to in the Explanatory Note? Is it to make it appear like it is the original? Parang iyong binanggit ko kanina na House Bill No. 3, hindi pala. House Bill No. 96 pala. Amended na raw pero hindi pala at ito ay ia-amend pa lang. Ganoon po ba iyon false statement number one, false statement number two, and again, another false statement here? REP. MARCOLETA. Unang-una po, kayo na rin po ang nagsabi na matagal na tayo sa trabahong ito. Kaya nga po, katulad po nitong RH Bill na ito, kung hindi po ako nagkakamali, 12 taon na po ang nakararaan noong ito ay umpisahang ipanukala ng Kongresong ito, kaya nagkaroon po ng pagkakabali-baligtad ng numero na kagaya ng sinasabi ninyo na mayroong number three, may 97, may 36, at kung anu-ano pa. Iyon po ay mga technicalities lamang na madali naman po sigurong ma-correct sa record ng ating Secretary General. Ngunit ang dahilan po nito ay dahil po sa tagal na ng paguusap na ito tungkol sa panukalang batas na ito, masasabi ko na po at kayo rin po ay maaari ninyong makita sa record na nauna na pong naipanukala ang RH Bill. Hindi lang po natin maipas-pas. Samakatuwid, iyon pong Magna Carta, iyon nga po ang nangopya sa mga naunang bersiyon ng RH Bill eh. Maipapakita ko po sa inyo, sa tagal na ng mga pangyayari, naunahan pa ng Magna Carta ang RH Bill. So, sa ngayon po

23 ay walang makapagsasabi na ang nangopya ay iyong nagpanukala ng RH Bill. Sa dami po ng mga pangyayari, sa dami ng dokumento, masasabi ko sa inyo na may dalawa sigurong bayong ng RH Bill. Thirteenth Congress lamang po iyon at pagkatapos ay Fourteenth Congress. Napakarami po at hanggang ngayon ay hindi po mai-dispose. Inaakala ko po kasi na magagamit pa, baka sakali pong sa panahon natin ngayon ay sana po saloobin ng Diyos na maipas na natin ito, Mr. Speaker. REP. GOLEZ (R.). Thank you po. Marami pong salamat. Medyo nakagugulat iyong sinabi ninyo na iyong Republic Act ang siya pang nangopya roon sa House bill. Alam ninyo, sa pagkaalam ko, ang Republic Act ay mas mataas ang antas kaysa House bill. Bagong prinsipyo po iyong binanggit ng ating kaibigan sa Party-List Alagad. Having said that, let me go to another point. Iyon pong madalas na banggitin na 500,000 abortions, I think that the principal author is familiar with this500,000 po anoevery year? Sinasabi rin ninyo. Iyan po ay isa sa mga mantra ng RH people, 500,000. Nagugulat ako na mukhang hindi familiar ang ating defender. REP. MARCOLETA. Hindi po, sinisiguro ko lang po sapagkat ang interpellator po ay hindi po basta-basta interpellator kaya minamabuti ko po at tsine-check ko po sa record. REP. GOLEZ (R.). Well, it appears to me, Mr. Speaker, that the distinguished Gentleman may not be familiar with the 500,000. It is an oft-repeated number. REP. MARCOLETA. Kasi po ang alam ko, sa pagmimeeting namin ay tatlong kababaihan ang namamatay. Kaya pinako-compute ko po kung tatama roon sa 500,000. REP. GOLEZ (R.). Abortions po ang sinasabi ko. Ang binabanggit ko ay 11, hindi po tatlo. Isa pang mantra iyan ng RH11. Iyong tatlo, iyon ang House Bill No. 3, na hindi pala number 3. Iyon po ay 96. Iyon ang maling House bill number. REP. MARCOLETA. Kasi po sa 2004, Mr. Speaker, sa record po, 473,400 po kasi ang kaso ng abortion. Ngayon, base po dito sa record, nag-increase na at halos umaabot nga po sa 500,000. REP. GOLEZ (R.). Pwede po bang malaman kung saan galing itong istatistikang ito? Ito po ba ang makikita natin sa NSO? REP. MARCOLETA. Ang atin pong Department of Health (DOH) ang pinagmumulan ng istatistika at ito ay supported po ng UP Population Institute. REP. GOLEZ (R.). Mukhang hindi DOH ang kino-quote ng RH group, Mr. Speaker. REP. MARCOLETA. Hindi po, sa ibang REP. GOLEZ (R.). Paki-check lang po kung DOH iyan sapagkat parang wala akong nababalitaan na ang DOH ang nagsabing 500,000.

24 REP. MARCOLETA. Hindi naman po iisa ang pinagmumulan ng record. Sa dami po kasi ng pangungusap tungkol sa panukalang batas na ito, napakarami pong nagkoquote. Kung minsan makukuha po ninyo mula sa DOH o nanggagaling pa sa UP Population Institute. Alam po nila. REP. GOLEZ (R.). Okay. Ang sunod po na tanong ko ay: alam ninyo sa Census kasi, binabahay-bahay para malaman kung ilan iyong mga tao kung 90 milyon, 95 milyon o 95.3 milyon. Paano po ang sistema para malaman na nagka-abortion na ang isang tao? Paano ninyo nalaman na 500,000? Tinanong po ba isa-isa iyong mga tao? REP. MARCOLETA. Hindi po namin trabaho iyon, Mr. Speaker. Ang UP Population Institutewe take their word for it. REP. GOLEZ (R.). O

WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2011 REP. MARCOLETA. Hayaan po ninyo, isang araw ay pupunta ako roon at hihingi po ako roon para sa inyo. REP. GOLEZ (R.). Pwede within this period? REP. MARCOLETA. Hindi po kasi hindi ko po kontrolado ang UP Population Institute. REP. GOLEZ (R.). O kaya kahit 10 pangalan man lang. REP. MARCOLETA. Makikiusap po ako at palagay ko naman po kung 10 langlalaki po ba o babae? REP. GOLEZ (R.). Ano po sa palagay ninyo? REP. MARCOLETA. Siguro po kalahati babae, kalahati lalaki para parehas po. REP. GOLEZ (R.). Abortion po ang pinag-uusapan natin.

REP. MARCOLETA. Alam po namin na ang UP Population Institute ay isang institution na hindi mapapasubalian ang kanilang mga istatistikang pinalalabas. Magkakaroon po sila ng pananagutan sa ating pamahalaan kung ang ibinibigay nilang istatistika sa atin ay mali, kasi po pinagbabasehan natin ito lalo na po sa mga iba pang mga ahensiya. Kung gumagawa tayo ng batas, napakalaki po ng kaugnayan at kahalagahan ng mga statistics sapagkat iyan po ang ating pinagbabasehan upang makapagpanukala tayo ng mga batas. REP. GOLEZ (R.). Iyong binanggit ninyong number, mula pa po noong 19ano po iyong year na binanggit ninyo? REP. MARCOLETA. Noong 2004 po kasi ay umabot na sa more than 473,000. REP. GOLEZ (R.). Pero nagsimula kayo saanong year iyong sinimulan ninyo? The first year that the Gentleman mentioned, Mr. Speaker, 1994 ho ba iyon? REP. MARCOLETA. Hindi po. Iyong binabanggit ko pong record, tinatanong po kasi ninyo kung alam ko kung mayroon REP. GOLEZ (R.). Anong year po iyong sinimulan ninyo? REP. MARCOLETA. Hindi po ako ang nagsimula. Ang sinasabi ko po, noong 2004 ay halos mahigit 473,000 ang kaso ng induced abortion o mga kasong may kaugnayan sa abortion. Ito nga po ang sabi ng UP Population Institute. Sa ngayon po sa ating panahon ay umabot na po sa mahigit kalahating milyon. REP. GOLEZ (R.). Kalahating milyon. So, mayroon silang listahan ng mga babae na nagpa-abort. REP. MARCOLETA. Inaakala ko po na mayroon silang listahan. REP. GOLEZ (R.). Pwede ho bang makahingi ng kahit na isang libong pangalan?

REP. MARCOLETA. Opo. Kasi po iyong lalaki, baka siya po ang nakagamit noong ano, siya po iyong may ano ng abortion. Para makita natin, baka naman po iyong lalaki ay siya po iyong respondent. REP. GOLEZ (R.). Mr. Speaker, I would like to seriously ask the panel whether it agrees that men are included in the list of abortion. Pwede po bang pakikonsulta ang panel ninyo? REP. MARCOLETA. Alam po naman nating babae lang, kaya nga po ako ay nagpapatawa lamang sa inyo para hindi naman tayo masyadong maging stiff. REP. GOLEZ (R.). Okay. Salamat po. REP. MARCOLETA. Kasi po kahapon medyo very stiff po iyong exchange nila eh. REP. GOLEZ (R.). Ngayon, puntahan po natin iyong mga mahihirap nating kababayan, iyong nasa poverty line. REP. MARCOLETA. Opo. REP. GOLEZ (R.). Alam po ninyo, naka-record ito, tinanong ko si Secretary Cayetano Paderanga Jr. ng NEDA. Pwede po bang makita iyong slide ni Secretary Paderanga ito po, 1992iyong next slide, please65 million ang populasyon natin. Ngayong 2011, 95 million na. Iyan po ang sinabi ni Secretary Paderanga. Palagay ko tatanggapin ninyo naman itong mga figures na ito. Sa loob ng halos 19 taon, umakyat ng 30 million ang ating populasyon. Sang-ayon po ba kayo rito, in general? REP. MARCOLETA. Kung iyan po ang sinabi ni Secretary Paderanga, ako naman po ay walang alinlangan na nakausap ninyo siya at maaring iyan po ay tama. REP. GOLEZ (R.). Salamat po. Ayon sa kanya, noong 1992, ang nasa poverty level ay 32 percent noong matapos ang kanyang termino bilang NEDA Secretary noong panahon ni President Cory. Nitong 2010, nagsimula na naman siya bilang NEDA Secretary at ang sabi

WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2011 niya ay 26 percent ang nasa poverty level. Bumaba ito nang bahagya. In other words, noong 1992 po, kung pagbabasehan natin iyang mga porsiyento na iyaniyong sunod na slide 65 million, 32 percent, ibig sabihin iyong mahirap talaga, nasa poverty level, 20.8 million. Nitong 2011, ang mahirap talaga ay 26 percent o 24.7 million. In other words, nadagdagan ng four million ang populasyon ng mahirap. Ngayon, kung titingnan natin ang kabuuan, Mr. Speaker, ang itinaas ng ating populasyon ay 30 million pero ang mga mahihirap contributed only four million to the total increase. Ang 26 million ay galing sa hindi mahirap. Ang tanong ko ay ganito: bakit parati nating sinisisi iyong mahihirap kapag tumataas ang ating populasyon samantalang dito sa figures na ito ay kitang-kita na ang mahihirap ay napakaliit ng kontribusyon sa total increase in population? Why are we always blaming the poor, when in fact, they contributed only four million out of the 30 million? The 26 million accounted for the higher economic levels of society, but this RH Bill, the way I know it, is targeting the poor dahil sinisisi nila iyong mga mahihirap sa pagdami ng ating populasyon. In fact, in the introductory statement of one of the defenders, former Senator Paterno, sabi niya, ang kahirapan daw is inter-generational kaya dapat bawasan. In effect, dapat bawasan iyong mga mahihirap para kumonti iyong ating mahihirap. As shown very clearly by this figure, out of the 30-million increase in population, the poor, those below the poverty line, only account to four million and those above the poverty line account for the rest of the population increase. Pero bakit sinisisi ninyo iyong mga mahihirap sa paglaki ng ating populasyon? REP. MARCOLETA. Unang-una po, Mr. Speaker, hindi po namin sinisisi ang mahihirap. Wala po siguro kayong mababasang isang statement sa RH Bill na sinisisi po iyong mahihirap. Ang mahihirap po natin, isa po sila sa dahilan kung bakit naipanukala ang batas na ito sa ibabaw ng lahat. Sapagkat ito ay hindi lamang po sa population naman. Gusto ko pong ituwid ang maaaring tinutunton ng inyong interpellation na ito pong RH Bill ay dahil lamang sa population. Ito po ay malawak ngunit isa lamang sa mga areas na maaaring natutumbok ninyo ay iyong population. Hindi po natin sinisisi ang mahihirap. Even for the sake of argument, that 4.1 million is the only increment coming from the poverty level. Iyon pong 4.1 million, hindi po biru-biro iyon. Iyon pong isang mahirap ay pananagutan ng ating estado. Dalawa, tatlo, sampung mahirappananagutan pa rin iyon. Lalo po sigurong isang pananagutan na napakalalim ng bansang ito, ng ating pamahalaan, kung lagpas-lagpas na at milyun-milyon na ang mahihirap. Hanggang saan po kaya aabot iyong 4.1 million? Ang sinasabi natin ay doon sa increase na 30 million. Ngunit bakit hindi po natin baligtarin ang pangyayari? Bakit hindi po natin i-harmonize ang resources natin o gumawa tayo ng paraan upang ma-regulate natin? Hindi po natin mako-control ang population. Let us not believe that population can be controlled but we can do something to regulate the growth of our population in harmony with our present means to protect our people. REP. GOLEZ (R.). Mayroon po bang diperensiya sa word na regulate at control? REP. MARCOLETA. Mayroon po.

25 REP. GOLEZ (R.). Kasi ang sabi ninyo kanina, hindi ito population bill, pero ngayon sinasabi ninyo regulate. REP. MARCOLETA. Napakalaki po ng pagkakaiba eh. REP. GOLEZ (R.). Oo. REP. MARCOLETA. Halimbawa po, iyong RH Bill, itinatadhana iyong pagbibigay ng option sa mag-asawa na pumili ng ganito o ganyang method. Inaakala po kasi ng mga proponents ng RH Bill na sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay ng isang choice sa paggamit, halimbawa po, iyong mga ibat ibang paraan na nauukol sa natural family planning method alam ko po marami rin iyonat iyong iba naman ay iyong pamamaraan na sinasabi nilang modern method. Ang nangyayari lamang po kasi ay napo-focus sa mahihirap at hindi nagkakaroon ng oportunidad iyong mga kapatid natin na naroon sa karukhaan na magkaroon ng access. Available po siguro ngunit iyong pag-access sa kanila, sapagkat wala naman po silang means para bumili siguro ng artificial contraceptives, gusto siguro nilang mag-regulate o mag-space ng kanilang mga anakiyan naman po ay pinatunayan ng napakaraming surveys. Sa mga nabasa ko pong mga surveys, kung hindi ako nagkakamali, 85 percent of our population ay may gustong mag-space ng kanilang mga anak kaya nga po sila ay sumusuporta rin sa panukalang batas na ito. Inuulit ko po, ang panukalang batas na ito ay hindi po sinisisi ang mahihirap. Ang batas na ito ay nakaukol sa ating mga kapatid na mahirap, among others, upang kahit papaano ay magkaroon po sila ng karapatan sa kanilang buhay. Baka sakali po sa pamamagitan ng paggamit nila ng kaparaanan na itinatadhana ng ating panukalang batas ay magkaroon sila ng pagkakataon na ang bilang ng anak nila ay kanilang mapagpasyahan. Sa kawalan po kasi ng magagamit, gusto man nila na magkaroon ng anak sa bilang na kanilang inaakala o pinaplano, o sang-ayon sa kanilang kakayahang magpaaral, magdamit o kaya mag-aruga ay hindi po sila nagkakaroon ng ganoong pagkakataon. REP. GOLEZ (R.). So, ang problema na lang kung paano paaralin iyong mga anak. Hindi po ba mas maganda na iyong P3 billion na gustong ilaan sa condom at contraceptives ay ilagay na lang sa pagpapaaral ng mga bata? REP. MARCOLETA. Sana ganoon po kasimple REP. GOLEZ (R.). Oo. REP. MARCOLETA. Alam po ba ninyo, sang-ayon po sa mapanghahawakang statistics, Mr. Speaker, there are 12 million babies40 babies are born in this country every 12 minutes. Forty babies constitute one classroom. Pag-aralan po natin. Magkano po iyong classroom sangayon po sa estimate ng DepEd? P650,000. Ang isang classroom po ay dapat may isang classroom teacher. Ipagpalagay po natin, P25,000 ang kailangan para makapagturo ang isang guro. Huwag na po nating pag-usapan ang blackboard, ang chalk, ang libro at saka kung anu-ano pang gamit. Iyon na lamang pong dalawang factors na iyon isang teacher, isang classroom. Kinuwenta po ng isa sa ating mga kasama rito na dating Secretary ng Department of Budget

26 and Management. This country will spend P1,000,026 every 12 minutes. Sa panukalang batas na ito, pwede po ba nating i-delay nang konti? What if 40 babies will be born in this country every 30 minutes na lang po imbes na 12 minutes? Noon pong 1970, Mr. Speaker, ang Thailand at saka ang Pilipinas ay pareho pong 70 million ang kanilang population. The two countriesboth are growing at 3 percent per annum. Pero several decades later, nag-iba ang patakaran ng Thailand. Until today, the growth rate of Thailand is 0.8 percent compared to that of the Philippines, 2.04 percent. I will admit, Mr. Speaker, that there is a declining trend. Pero nagde-decline po ang population only in increment, but in general, this countrys population is still growing at a rapid rate. Ano po, if we follow the trajectory of Thailands population, we would have been 68 million today, not 94 million. REP. GOLEZ (R.). So, REP. MARCOLETA. That should have been 13 million metric tons of rice, not 20 metric. Twenty million. So, siguro po iyong difference noon na mga about six to seven million metric tons of rice would have been demographic dividend. Sana po, ito ay nagamit natin upang pag-aralin ang mga bata. Wala po tayong maapuhap eh. Sobra po iyong dami ng batang pinag-aaral. If we have consulted sana iyong records of South Korea, in mid-60s, it was able to lower their fertility rate to the extent that they were able to fund their tertiary education because there were lesser children in the primary and elementary level. Wala po tayong demographic dividends. Saan po kukuha ang pamahalaan? Exhibit B. Exhibit A. One hundred fifty-three thousand classrooms ang backlog natin. Sasabihin po natin, bakit hindi na lang tayo mag-invest sa education? Tama naman po iyon eh. Wala pong makikipagdebate doon. Bakit po tayo mayroong backlog na 153,000? Alam ko po, sa panahon ng ating present dispensation, gusto po ng ating Pangulo siguro na itong 153,000 na ito ay ma-construct kaagad. Kung maaari nga, in the next six months siguro, at ang mga teachers na mailagay diyan upang ma-educate natin ang tao natin. Alam ko po iyan ang gustong mangyari ng ating pamahalaan ngunit hindi po mangyayari sapagkat napakarami nating tao. Saan po natin kukunin? REP. GOLEZ (R.). Mr. Speaker, may I respond. Mr. Speaker, binanggit ng ating kasama iyong Thailand. Hindi rin niya binanggit na noong panahon ni Prime Minister Thaksin, nag-implementa siya ng isang napakagandang programa. Ito iyong naglagay siya ng 1 million baht per village out of the 60,000 villages ng Thailand. Iyon po ang dahilan kung bakit umunlad ang Thailand. Kahit na tanggalin ninyo iyong population increment na iyan, hindi iyan magja-justify sa high growth rate experienced by Thailand because of the Thaksinomics na tinatawag under President Thaksin, 60 billion baht ang kanyang inilagay sa 60,000 villages all over Thailand. Ngayon, tayo, ang inilagay natin ay bawat town lang; sa kanila, bawat village and that is the reason Thailand progressed, not to mention the fact that they have a very good tourism program. Iyon po ang dahilan

WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2011 kung bakit umuunlad ang Thailand. Binanggit ng ating kaibigan ang Korea, mabuti na lang binanggit niya. Ang Korea ngayon ay naglaan ng mga $67 billion over a five-year period para palakihin ang kanilang populasyon, sapagkat nakita nila na marami na pong mga lugar sa Korea ang namamatay na. In fact, Goldman Sachs is projecting that in about 10 to 15 years, the Philippines and Indonesia are going to overtake Korea, because Korea is running out of manpower. Nararamdaman na nila iyong demographic winter na maaaring mangyari sa atin, maraming mga villages doon ay nawawalan na ng mga tao. In fact, Korea has to import workers. Sixty-seven billion dollars, Mr. Speaker, they are going to spend more money than our national budget to increase their population. Tayo, ang ginagawa natin is to reduce our population for a very dubious objective na hindi naman klaro. Ngayon, mabuti na lang binabanggit ng ating principal Sponsor ito, lumalabas talagang this is a Population Bill. Noong una, ang sabi niya hindi, but then, iyong mga justifications na ginagamit niya ay for population control or population regulation, kaya hindi ko po maintindihan kung ano ba itong bill na ito. Kapag tinanong ninyo na... REP. MARCOLETA. Binanggit po ninyo kasi, binanggit ninyo sa inyong PowerPoint presentation... REP. GOLEZ (R.). Tapusin ko lang po, tapusin ko lang po. REP. MARCOLETA. ... iyong relasyon po kasi ng population saka iyong mahirap, kaya lang ganoon po iyong naging trajectory ng sagot ko. REP. GOLEZ (R.). Tapusin ko lang po dahil pinabayaan ko kayong magsalita nang medyo matagal-tagal nang konti. Kinuwenta ko mga 10 minutes po iyong salita ninyo kanina. Iyong population control kapag sinabing population, hindi raw population pero bakit nasa Committee on Population? Doon sa Explanatory Note, ito raw ay primarily health, pero bakit wala sa Committee on Health? Kapag nagtanong ka about health, sasabihin nila, hindi naman ito health eh, kapag nagtanong ka about population, ang sagot nila hindi naman ito population. So, this is neither fish nor fowl, kaya hindi mo maintindihan kung ano itong bill na ito. This is very confusing, this is as confusing as the false statement na ito ay House Bill No. 3. This is as confusing as the false statement na amended na itong bill na ito na hindi naman amended. So, what can we trust here, distinguished author? REP. MARCOLETA. Marami po, marami pong mga provisions dito ang pwede nating pagkatiwalaan. Pero ang unang-una po kaya lang binanggit iyong population saka iyong poverty, kasi po iyong presentation ninyo kanina ay mayroon kayong pinaghalo na iyong poverty saka iyong population, kaya po ang sagot ko sa inyo kanina kinumpara ko naman doon sa population natin at saka ng Thailand, at kung papaano naman na-target nila iyong mga ganoong klaseng developmental thrust. Halimbawa po ngayon sa Thailand, alam po ba ninyo iyong per capita GDP ng Thailand? Ang per capita GDP po ng Thailand ay mahigit na $4,000. Ikumpara po natin sa per capita GDP ng ating bansa, lumagpas lamang sa $1,700. Doon lamang po ay makikita ninyo ang kaibahan. Ang GDP per

WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2011 capita po kasi, Mr. Speaker, ay isa sa components ng tinatawag nating human development index. Kung napakababa po ng ating GDP per capita, na kung saan ay isa iyon sa measurements ng human development, ay makikita po ninyo kung saan papunta ang economic na kalagayan ng ating pangkalahatang mamamayan. Ang katunayan po, mas malaki pa po iyong GDP ng mga maliliit na bansa sa Pacific, kamukha ng Republika ng Kiribati, Republika ng Western Samoa, at Republika ng Vanuatu. Siguro po, marami sa atin, hindi po alam kung nasaan itong mga bansang ito. Ako po ay naluluha noong makita ko na ito palang parang mga islets lang sa PacificP3,000, P4,000 ang GDP per capita, samantalang ang ating bansa, punung-puno ng resources, ngunit noong makita po natin, hindi natin ma-harmonize iyong resources natin sa dami po ng ating mga mamamayan. Kaya po iyong panukalang batas na ito, pinagsama na po iyong responsible parenthood, pinagsama na iyong reproductive health at population management upang magkaroon ng isang pangkalahatang direksyon. A holistic approach in order to address a social issue, an economic issue and a human development issue, na sa palagay po ng mga proponents ng population, responsible parenthood and reproductive health bill na ito, ito po ay isang magiging daan upang kahit papaano, ang ating bansa ay makatahak naman doon sa tinahak ng ibang bansa na ating katabi. Nabanggit po ninyo iyong Koreagusto rin po natin sigurong matikmansila po ay may fertility falling na. Tayo po, puro na lang pataas. Kung mayroon naman po palang pakinabang, at sila ay nagkaroon ng $65 million para paramihin uli nila iyong tao nila, madali naman po iyon, sapagkat tayo, iyong sinasabi ninyong demographic winter, sang-ayon po sa scientific evidence na nabasa ko na at ibinigay ng mga ibang ahensya, bago pa po tayo makarating doon sa tinatawag ninyong demographic winter, ang populasyon natin ay aabot na sa 150 million by 2050. That is assuming na bababa po iyong ating lebel ng fertility rate doon sa replacement level. REP. GOLEZ (R.). Twenty ano po? REP. MARCOLETA. So, huwag po kayong matakot. REP. GOLEZ (R.). Twenty? REP. MARCOLETA. Malayo pa po tayo sa REP. GOLEZ (R.). Ano, anong year po iyong binanggit ninyo? Twenty? REP. MARCOLETA. Ang nabasa ko po, maaaring magkamali, pero kung hindi ako nagkakamali, mga 2040 o 2050. Doon pa lamang siguro magkakaroon ng tinatawag na demographic winter. Ngunit huwag po kayong matakot, sapagkat may sinasabi po iyong babasahn na iyon na mayroon pa palang population momentum. Hindi naman basta na lang napunta ka roon sa punto ng 200 million o 150 million, bigla ka na lang magda-dive; hindi po, mayroon ka palang demographic dividend. Mayroon ka naman po palang mga advantages na makukuha, kamukha po ng binabanggit ninyo na Korea. Bago pa sila makarating sa dulo noon, makakapag-plano na sila kung paano uli paramihin ang kanilang mga tao. Tayo po, wala tayong experience man lang.

27 Magmula ng 1960 na masyadong bumaba ang ating populationiko-correct ko po iyong sarili ko, 160 million pala by 2060. Doon lamang po pupunta iyong lebel ng sinasabi ninyong demographic winter. Iyon pong replacement rate, ibig sabihin, ang isang babae po ay manganganak ng dalawa maaaring lalake, maaaring isang babaepero iyong lebel na iyon, it is enough to replace itself. Pero iyong rate na iyon po, kapag pinagsama-sama ninyo, 160 million pa po tayo by 2060. It is a long way to go, Mr. Speaker. I think we have to experiment on the present resources we have. Tayo naman po ay isang bansang matalino, isang bansang maraming resources, REP. GOLEZ (R.). Mr. Speaker. REP. MARCOLETA. ngunit ima-match po natin ang resources na iyan. REP. GOLEZ (R.). May I request the Speaker to regulate and moderate the length of the answer of the principal Sponsor, in the same way that this Representation is also being moderated. REP. MARCOLETA. Kasi po, Mr. Speaker, kahapon, narito rin po ako, iyong pagtatanong po ay kung minsan, 10 minutes bago magtanong. Doon po, wala man lamang pong nagcomplain bakit ganoon katagal iyong premises. Bago po makapagtanong kahapon, ang laying po ng predicate ay mahigit pong 10 minutes. Ako po, iyong aking sagot ay wala pa pong 10 minutes. Sagot po iyong sa akin. Ngunit sige po, para po sa inyo. REP. GOLEZ (R.). Nagsimula po kayo 1:24. Ngayon, 1:31 na. Seven minutes po iyong sinasabi ninyong... REP. MARCOLETA. Wala pong 10 minutes iyong sinasabi ko. REP. GOLEZ (R.). Ngayon, alam ninyo iyong demographic dividend, ang isa sa mga pangunahing businessmen, iginagalang na businessman na gumagamit ng salitang demographic dividend ay si Nandan Nilekani ng India. He is a billionaire, a dollar billionaire, a very respected businessman, an IT businessman. He is using the word demographic dividend in relation to how they are competitive against countries like China, for example, which right now is already reviewing their one-child policy. Ang sabi ni Nandan Nilekani, mayroon silang demographic dividend na around 300 million and that is the reason India right now has young workers. India right now is so progressive because they can immediately react to world opportunities, especially in manpower-intensive businesses like BPO, for example, Call centers for a while until the Philippines overtook them by a few thousand. Iyong mga iyan, iyan ay isang salita na pabor sa mas malaking populasyon. Hindi po iyan pabor sa maliit na populasyon. Kaya tinawag na demographic dividend. Advantage iyan kapag ikaw ay may mas malaking populasyon. Maraming bansa ngayon na ang kanilang demographic dividend ay negative na, for example, many Western countries. Japan is already experiencing negative, zero population growth and even negative growth, and even China. In fact, there is already a

28 projection and this has come out in respective magazines that India will be overtaking China in about 10 years or even less because of that demographic dividend. China right now cannot react because they are now facing the bleak prospect of an aging population. In countries like Russia, for example, President Medvedev in his State of Russia speech consumed almost half of his speech talking about increasing the population of Russia. In fact, sa Russia ngayon, they are even giving incentives for families that can produce three or more babies. At alam ninyo kung ano ang ibinibigay nilang dividend doon at incentives? Free land. Pero tayo mukhang pabalik, in fact, Russia now has to import about 10 million workers from neighboring countries, which is affecting also their demographic situation there. Of course, when you import 10 million workers against the population of about 125 million, you will certainly experience some social problems. All of the Western countries are experiencing this. I was just talking with a major German businessman this morning and they are talking to me about the problems that they are encountering in Germany because of their zero population growth. Tapos narito tayo, gumagaya sa kanila. Ngayon, Mr. Speaker, kanina po, binubulungan na ako na i-suspend na raw. Ako ay handa pa ring magtanong, but in deference to the appeal of the Committee on Rules, I am willing to consider that if they are going to repeat that but if not, then I will continue. I do not want to be interrupted, I have a series of other questions and I need another 30 uninterrupted minutes to continue with my series of questions. REP. MARCOLETA. Wala pong problema sa akin iyon, Mr. Speaker. Pwede ko po bang sagutin muna iyon bago kung anuman ang ano, kaysa po ma-record na hindi ko po sinagot iyong tanong. REP. GOLEZ (R.). Hindi, ikaw naman ang nag-comment niyan. SUSPENSION OF SESSION REP.FARIAS. Mr. Speaker, I move that the session be suspended for a few minutes. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Taada). The session is suspended. It was 7:19 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2011 goes to the younger population and everything is diverted to more productive capacity. At the same time, the labor force is complemented. In other words, there are more people who are working. The net effect, Mr. Speaker, is what we call demographic dividend. Last week, Mr. Speaker, I was asked to speak in Paris on the examples in the Philippines of demographic dividend. I was point-blanked. I told them directly I could not cite examples on demographic dividend because there is none in my country. We have not experienced falling birth rate in my country to the extent that we will be serving only a lesser portion of our younger population. As a matter of fact, Mr. Speaker, in 2000, correct me if I am wrong, the dependency ratio in our population is about 69 percent63 percent, younger people; six percent, older people. This means that for every 100 working citizens, we need to support at least 63 children and seven adults. Demographic dividend, Mr. Speaker, should have been reversed so that we can divert funds to support and finance production and hasten the industries. If we are successful in this regard, Mr. Speaker, that will be the time when we will have collected demographic dividend. REP. GOLEZ (R.). Mr. Speaker, let me quote Nandan Nilekani roon sa kaninang binanggit kodemographic dividendin his famous book, Imagining India. Ito po ay isang best-selling book. In fact, Nandan Nilekani is making a tour of so many places like London School of Economics, Harvard Business School and Wall Street. Nandan Nilekani is very famous that you can see him sometimes being featured in BBC. Imagining India is a very popular book. I would suggest that the distinguished Gentleman get a copy of this best-selling book. Of course, this will run contrary to your RH instinct, so maybe this might break your heart kung babasahin mo. Nakalagay doon, sabi niya: Indias demographic dividendIndias human capital is fast emerging as the key source of its economic growth; however, the countrys outlook on its population was not always so rosy. In the seventies, following international pressure and models that forecasted huge and economically damaging population growth, an attempt was made to control this growth through the Nasbandi program initiated by Indira Gandhis son, Sanjay. Ayan, population controlkatulad ng RH. RESUMPTION OF SESSION At 7:23 p.m., the session was resumed. However, the electoral defeat handed to Indiras government in 1977 discouraged any further attempts to control population through coercion in India. This led to a demographic dividend, giving rise to a large bubble of working age people. A large bubble of working age peoplesa Tagalog, isang malaking grupo ng mga nagtatrabaho ng working age. Kapag sinabing working age, normally from 18 to 35 years old, ito ay mga batang manggagawa. He continues: The consequent increase in the number of young workers is leading to higher savings, higher investment and consequently higher growth rate.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Taada). The session is resumed. REP. MARCOLETA. Mr. Speaker, I Googled the phrase demographic dividend. It gave me a definition which runs like thisdemographic dividend is a period of birth falling. It occurs when age distribution changes such that whatever is the fund intended for a much bigger younger population is diverted into something that is more of productive capacity. It also relates to the expansion of a population with a bigger working force. And so, it means that there is lesser fund that

WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2011 Speaking at the London School of Economics on April 22, Mr. Nilekani said that one idea which has contributed to Indias economic rise is human capital: India no longer views its large population as a liability but as an asset. Ang sabi dito, sa India, dati akala nila iyong malaking populasyon ay makakabagal sa kanila. Pero ngayon, iba na ang kanilang pananaw. Ang tingin nila sa kanilang malaking populasyon ay hindi na liability kundi asset; positibo na at hindi na negatibo. Kaya ngayon India is one of the emerging economies, isa sa mga pinakamakapangyarihan na ekonomiya sa buong daigdig. Sabi ni Nilekani: India is entering a phase of demographic dividend that could be leveraged towards solving the problems that rich economies are currently facing. Iyan po ang ibig sabihin ng demographic dividend. Lumalaki ang bilang ng young workers. Pero ang gustong mangyari ng mga pro-RH, paliitin ang ating young population sa pamamagitan ng pagpigil sa panganganak. India is now a model of economic development. Ang sabi nga ng mga ibang nagpo-forecast dito, in a few years, India will be overtaking China because of that demographic dividend na wala ang China. China now is experiencing a negative demographic dividend. Well, on that note, I would like to temporarily accede to the request of the Committee on Rules to suspend my interpellation. I just would like to reiterate that we have shown that the RH Bill is a copy. Pagdating doon sa mga essential parts ng reproductive health and reproductive health care, kinopya lang iyong already existing Magna Carta for Women. At siyempre, ano ang dapat gawin sa mga bagay na kopya lang? Ibinabasura po iyan. Sa lugar na ako ay nag-aral, kapag kinopya mo ang isang bagay, basura ang tuloy niyan. Kaag ang isang speech ay kinopya mo, basura ang tuloy niyan. Kapag ang gawa ay kinopya mo, basura po ang tuloy niyan. Kaya kitang-kita natin sa aking ipinakita na kinopya lang po itong Magna Carta for Women. Kaya ako ay naniniwala na iyong mga bagay na nakalagay na sa Magna Carta for Women ay dapat huwag nang ituloy at kapag iyan ay hindi itinuloy, wala na ring gawing dahilan para ipagpatuloy natin itong Reproductive Health Bill na ito na kopya lamang. Ako ay nag-aalaala rin sa mga figures na ipinakita ng ating kaibigan. Kasi kung iyong No. 3 at iyong No. 96 ay nako-confuse, lalo na siguro sa mas malalaking mga numero. Kung iyong amendment ay hindi alam, sasabihin na amended na at hindi pa pala. Lalong nakakabahala rito sa kabuuan nitong RH Bill na ito, na katulad ng sinabi ko, ay nilalaman na ng isang existing law. Alam po ninyo, kapag gusto mong palakasin ang isang existing law, ia-amend mo iyong law na iyon; hindi ka maglalabas ng bagong law. It goes to the Committee on Revision of Law, for example, or maybe to the Committee on Women, if you want to enhance the Magna Carta for Women. So, on that note, I accede to the request of the Committee on Rules that we suspend momentarily this interpellation and continue it at the proper time. Thank you. REP. MARCOLETA. Ako po ay nag-a-accede din, kagalang-galang na Speaker, ngunit panghuling pananalita lamang, ang Representasyong ito ay naniniwala na naipahayag naming mabuti ang katatagan at rationale ng RH Bill, at kung mayroon man pong kinopya, ito po ay katibayan

29 lamang ng kahalagahan nito sapagkat kinakailangang ulitulitin ang mga mahahalagang mga phraseologies or mga pananalita upang maipakita kung gaano kahalaga ang panukalang batas na ito. Salamat po sa inyo at salamat po sa ating distinguished interpellator. Thank you very much. REP. GOLEZ (R.). Salamat po at salamat sa pag-amin na kinopya lang po iyong bill. Thank you. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Taada). The Floor Leader is recognized. REP. BENALDO. Mr. Speaker, I move that we suspend the interpellation of Honorable Golez on Honorable Marcoleta and move that we recognize the Gentleman from Bacolod City, the other Anthony Golez, for his interpellation. The Committee on Population authorized the Sr. Dep. Majority Leader as the Sponsor and she will respond to the interpellation of Hon. Anthony Rolando T. Golez Jr. I so move, Mr. Speaker. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Taada). Is there any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the interpellation of Cong. Anthony Rolando T. Golez Jr. of the Sr. Dep. Majority Leader, Janette L. Garin, may proceed. REP. GOLEZ (A.). Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Sponsor, distinguished colleagues, good evening. First of all, I will just have quick questions. I will base my questions on the sponsorship speech of Cong. Edcel C. Lagman of Albay. My quick questions would only require quick answers. Is the distinguished Lady from Iloilo ready? REP. GARIN (J.). Willingly, Mr. Speaker. REP. GOLEZ (A.). Well, first of all, it has already been asked a while ago that RH Bill is rights based, central to the measure of freedom of informed choice and not a population control measure. The question is: why is it not a population measure when everybody who has spoken before me has been harping on population issues? REP. GARIN (J.). Well, Mr. Speaker, distinguished colleague, our statement, my statement, and what I have heard from other Sponsors is that it is not a populationcontrol policy. What we are referring to is that it is a population management bill and we have also mentioned several times that when we talked about rights, especially of women, we are referring to the rights of every family; we are referring to family empowermentkung saan po binibigyan natin ng karapatan at katarungan ang bawat pamilyang Pilipino na magdesisyon sa laki ng pamilya na kaya nilang buhayin. Hindi po namin sinasabi that this bill will be all about population only because if we talk about reproductive health, pinag-uusapan po rito ang pag-angat ng antas ng bawat pamilyang Pilipino at kasama sa pagangat ng antas ng bawat pamilyang Pilipino ay ang kapakanan ng gobyerno lalo na po ang administrasyon na namamahala sa atin na mabigyan ng edukasyon ang lahat, mabigyan ng pagkain ang bawat mesa, at mabigyan ng mas masaganang buhay ang bawat Pilipino.

30 REP. GOLEZ (A.). Marami pong salamat, distinguished Lady from Iloilo. Your answer is almost as reflex or a knee-jerk reflex, but to mind you, population management and population control is just a play of semantics. Now, the second question is that when you said or the distinguished Sponsor from Albay said that multiparity or having many children is positively associated with maternal mortality, para pong sinasabi natin na kapag mas maraming anak eh maaring mamatay o ikamamatay ng ating mga kababaihan. Although tama po iyang pananaw na iyan pero binase po iyang statement na iyan dahil ho sayou increase the exposure of a certain individual to such an activity and, therefore, when there is an increase in exposure, you will increase the vulnerability. So, hindi po almost totally related ang panukala na iyan. Number two, when you say... REP. GARIN (J.). Mr. Speaker, with due courtesy to my distinguished colleague... REP. GOLEZ (A.). Wala pa po iyong pangalawang tanong ko. REP. GARIN (J.). May I be allowed to answer the first question. Then I will answer the second question para po mas malinaw iyong ating pag-uusap at pagtalakay natin ng panukalang batas na ito. REP. GOLEZ (A.). I am sorry. I have to apologize to the distinguished Lady from Iloilo. I am already contented with your answer a while ago and I would want to proceed to my next question. Is it true that the Lady was linking population with development? REP. GARIN (J.). Prior to answering that question, Mr. Speaker, distinguished colleague, allow me to go back to the Gentlemans previous statement a while ago which was not answered. Ito po iyong sinabitotoo po bang sinabi namin na kapag mas marami ang anak ay mas ikamamatay po ng nanay? I am referring to that question, and I believe I did not have the time to answer that. Hindi po namin haka-haka iyan. Hindi po sa amin nanggaling iyan. That is what is being told by the statistics shown not only by the Department of Health, not only by the National Statistics Office, but it is also within the NDHS, iyong ating National Demographic Health Survey, kasi ipinapakita po na mas tumataas ang infant mortality rate. Ibig sabihin, iyong mga bata ay namamatay na mas maaga kapag less than two years ang pag-space ng kanilang pregnancy. Ipinapakita rin po na iyong mga nanay na sunud-sunod na nagbubuntis. The increase into less than two to three years gap between each pregnancy increases the mortality of each mother because, repeatedly, the Department of Health has always said na kailangan ang dalawa at kalahating taon, two-and-a-half to three years are needed for a mother to fully recover to her normal physiological state dala po sa pagbubuntis. REP. GOLEZ (A.). Ms. Sponsor, with all due respect, REP. GARIN (J.). Now,

WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2011 REP. GOLEZ (A.). I am not contesting that statement or your statement because I know, it is a common knowledge among doctors that the right spacing between births would be two to three years. I did not contest the number of years for spacing. I just contested the number of children for a woman. My point of saying that is this: you increased the mortality or morbidity when you have more children, it is just like increasing the chances of getting or meeting an accident when you ride a motorcycle for 30 hours compared to riding a motorcycle for one hour. But if you REP. GARIN (J.). Mr. Speaker, distinguished colleague, if I may be allowed to answer that. REP. GOLEZ (A.). I am not yet finished, distinguished Sponsor. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Taada). Let us allow the Gentleman to continue with his interpellation. REP. GOLEZ (A.). Mr. Speaker, I would like to proceed with my second question because for me, I have been satisfied with the answer of the distinguished Sponsor on my first question already, so can we ask that I be allowed THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Taada). Please proceed to the second question. REP. GOLEZ (A.). The second question would be: do you admit that the population and development are inextricably linked? REP. GARIN (J.). Mr. Speaker, distinguished colleague, that has been reflected, not only in the study of the University of the Philippines, but by various economists. I will expound further to that but let me add, again, REP. GOLEZ (A.). I was just asking her because REP. GARIN (J.). Mr. Speaker, if I may be allowed to REP. GOLEZ (A.). but that is not my point, distinguished Sponsor. REP. GARIN (J.). Mr. Speaker, I believe I have the right to answer the question of the distinguished colleague. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Taada). Let her answer. REP. GARIN (J.). Maraming salamat po. Mr. Speaker, let me convey my sentiment to my distinguished colleague. Hindi naman po pwedeng sabihin na you are contented with my answer, and then, magbibigay ka ng tanong at hindi ko pwedeng i-refute. In a debate, there is always a rebuttal. When you mentioned that in spacing, and you agree with me on that, two-and-a-half to three years is needed for a mother to recover to her normal stage at sinabi mong hindi po iyan ang sinasabi mo kundi ang dami ng anak. Allow me, Mr. Speaker, distinguished colleague, to correct this for the sake, not only of our colleague, but for every mother listening here, listening to us, na kapag sinabi po natin na dapat walang relasyon

WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2011 iyong dami ng anak, hindi po totoo iyon. When you think of the totality of the health of the mother, you do not ask her, Ilan iyong anak ninyo? You ask her the totality including kung anong taon nanganak ito. Going to population and development, as you have mentioned. Ano po ba ang development? Hindi po ba kapag development, ito po ay ang pag-angat ng antas ng pamumuhay ng bawat pamilyang Pilipino? Hindi po ba kapag development, we keep on saying that education is the key for more development? We keep on saying that poverty reduction is synonymous with economic development of a country. If you ask us, yes, population is related to development dahil ipinapakita po ng ilang pag-aaral that development can never be attained if the right to plan their family is not being given to every individual family. Alam naman po natin na bumababa, from an average budget of P2,000 per child, per family, which consists of three children. This goes down to P1,000 to the family size of six children. It is common sense po na kapag padami nang padami ang anak mo, ipinakita ng pag-aaral ng ating gobyerno na ang P2,000 budget, P2,000 per child per health care, is being drastically reduced to P750, kapag ang iyong family size ay lumaki from three to seven. Kapareho po ng Kongreso, kapag dumami nang dumami ang Miyembro ng Kongreso ay kailangan po na we also should look at the constituency that we represent, because we will be answering more needs. When we talk about poverty incidence REP. GOLEZ (A.). Mr. Speaker, can I just drive my point. REP. GARIN (J.). Last point, Mr. Speaker. Poverty incidence as compared to family sizeyou talked about development. Development is directly related to poverty incidence, because the poorer the country is, the less developed you become. Sa pamilya pong may dalawang anak, the poverty incidence is four percent. Sa pamilyang may apat na anak, the poverty incidence is 17 percent. Sa pamilyang may anim na anak, the poverty incidence is 34 percent. In a family with eight children, the family incidence is 50 percent. The numbers, Mr. Speaker, distinguished colleagues, speak for itself. REP. GOLEZ (A.). Mr. Speaker. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Taada). Yes. REP. GOLEZ (A.). I just want to drive a point. One question or one statement against RH has an automatic or a reflex answer to rebut. One question that will argue against somebody who is against RH, then there is another automatic reflex. As a matter of fact, with just a yes or a no answer, she was able to compose a paragraph of statistics. What we are doing now will be a never-ending debate. One question, immediate answer, and the answer to the immediate question would entail another question to an answer, and an answer to a question. I only have two points to pry. The first is about the beginnings of life and the other is the demographic figure of our country. I am not here standing before you, Mr. Speaker, distinguished Sponsor, to strongly assert my Catholic faith

31 in the issue of RH, but rather, I am here to defend my knowledge about the beginnings of human life, based from how we, doctors, just like you, distinguished Lady from Iloilo, were educated about. I will not argue on the contentious issue of when life begins. No, I will not handle that kind of argument, but rather, I will share and utilize the knowledge gained from the medical books that you read, that I read, that any other medical students have read, whether you are trained, educated by a private school or a private university. Whether you ... REP. GARIN (J.). So, what is the question, Mr. Speaker? THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Taada). Allow the Gentleman to continue. REP. GOLEZ (A.). I hope, with due respect, Mr. Speaker, distinguished Lady, the respect that I extended to you will be extended to me. REP. GARIN (J.). I am sending that respect, Mr. Speaker. REP. GOLEZ (A.). Thank you very much. REP. GARIN (J.). I just wanted to know what the question is. REP. GOLEZ (A.). I am going to present my points as basic as possible. I hope everybody here would bring what they would learn from our discussion to guide them before they make a decision whether to approve this bill or not. Again, I am a doctor of medicine and surgery. I have graduated from the Royal and Pontifical University of Sto. Tomas. What you read, I read. What our friends read, whether they studied in Harvard Med or in Standford Med or in the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila or wherever they are, or even in the smallest university in Africa, we read the same books. As I have said earlier, I will not debate on whether or not contraceptives are abortifacients. I would just like to tackle issues in physiology of ovulation, the physiology of reproduction, and the mechanism of action of the contraceptives. Can we present the first slide? Can I ask the distinguished Lady if she is willing to go with me as we review our physiology in ovulation, reproduction and the pharmacokinetics of the oral contraceptive pills? REP. GARIN (J.). Mr. Speaker, distinguished colleague, I have no objection whatsoever with whatever our distinguished colleague will represent. Allow me to say that I am willing to go into the pharmacokinetics and the pharmacodynamics of the oral contraceptive pills, as I do agree that this will also be discussed, but may I beg on him that he put it on laymans terms para naman naiintindihan ng ating mga kasamahan. REP. GOLEZ (A.). Yes, but it is a challenge for me, Ms. Sponsor from Iloilo.

32 REP. GARIN (J.). Just to clarify, Mr. Speaker, distinguished colleague, when he mentioned that a question should be answered with yes or no, I do respect his opinion but in a democratic society like the Philippines, when we mention a debate, a period of sponsorship and debate in Congress, a question should not be dictated by a yes or no and the Sponsor has an option to explain and to show statistics, because this is what Congress is all about. REP. GOLEZ (A.). Mr. Speaker, I would just like to reiterate that I wanted to show to everybody the reflex action of somebody who is defending the RH advocacies. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Taada). Please proceed. REP. GOLEZ (A.). First slide. All right. Ms. Sponsor, Mr. Speaker, I would like to go to the process of ovulation. Where would egg cells be released, on which part of reproductive system of the woman? That is as basic as I can get and the answer is so basic. I will help the distinguished Lady with her answer, it is the ovary. The egg cells are released from the female ovary and it enables the egg to be fertilized by the male sperm cells. One egg is released at one time and erupts on the 14th to 16th day, approximately on the 28-day menstrual cycle. This is very important because as we talk about the mechanism of action of the oral contraceptive pills, we are always referred back to these days. If it is not fertilized, distinguished Lady from Iloilo, what usually happens to the egg cells? The egg cell usually would get absorbed again in the body and goes to a point where you will have your menses. As we can see, this is the endometrial lining of the woman, for a section. The endometrial lining is thin on this stage of menstrual cycle and thickens when the woman is fertile or ovulating. This is very important because we will see later on that when a woman would take oral contraceptive pills, there is a corresponding relationship with the thickening or thinning of the endometrial lining. Next slide. This isI would not want to ask the Lady from Iloilo what this illustration talks about, this is a REP. GARIN (J.). It is like a pumping bag, Mr. Speaker. REP. GOLEZ (A.). A what? A what? REP. GARIN (J.). It is like a pumping bag. Mr. Speaker, distinguished colleague, with due courtesy. REP. GOLEZ (A.). I would want to hear your answer, it looks like a? REP. GARIN (J.). I was joking, Mr. Speaker, but with due courtesy, it is really a spermatozoa. REP. GOLEZ (A.). It is also with due courtesy, this is not a joke, distinguished Lady from Iloilo. REP. GARIN (J.). Yes, Mr. Speaker, distinguished colleague, earlier our colleague asked where an egg cell is released. And, the statement is, may I help the distinguished

WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2011 Lady in answering it. It is from the ovary. Mr. Speaker, distinguished colleague, the next question was, can I help our distinguished colleague answer what this graph he is showing us? REP. GOLEZ (A.). Because you are not answering my simple questions, so how would I know? How would I know if you know what I am talking about? REP. GARIN (J.). I can answer your question, Mr. Speaker, distinguished colleague, REP. GOLEZ (A.). I want, Mr. Speaker, to know if REP. GARIN (J.). It is a sperm cell. But, Mr. Speaker, REP. GOLEZ (A.). we are on the same wave. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Taada). Order, order, order. REP. GARIN (J.). Mr. Speaker, distinguished colleague, may THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Taada). Order, please. I would suggest to the interpellator to give a few seconds for the Sponsor to answer and not to intervene right away. REP. GARIN (J.). Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That is precisely my point. REP. GOLEZ (A.). I apologize, Mr. Speaker. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Taada). Yes. REP. GARIN (J.). Thank you, Mr. Speaker. When he asked what releases the egg cell, I cannot answer it because he already answered ovary. I might not be as intelligent as the Gentleman as I have not come from the expensive schools that our distinguished colleague mentioned, but I am not also that stupid not to identify an egg cell and an ovary, Mr. Speaker. I have been a medical doctor throughout my life and, in fact, I am teaching in a medical school. I can answer questions related to the bill, but if you want me to identify the picture of an ovary, a fallopian tube, a sperm cell or you would like me to identify whether it is a vagina or a penis, I can answer that, but these are not questions that should be thrown to a Member of Congress who is defending a bill. May I then request, Mr. Speaker, distinguished colleague, I have patience to indulge in a lecture on physiology and anatomy, but we are not here to study anatomy. We are here to debate on House Bill No. 4244. So, rather than letting me identify the graphs there, you can please go directly to your presentation, post your questions and I will answer that willingly, Mr. Speaker. REP. ROMUALDO. Mr. Speaker. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Taada). Yes, the Gentleman from Camiguin is recognized.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2011 REP. ROMUALDO. I thought the Gentleman, Congressman Golez, is interpellating. In interpellations, I believe, the person interpellating should not interfere or intervene, that is one point. Another point, Mr. Speaker, I would want to know if we are following the proper procedure. Is it in accordance with the Rules that we have two sets of one interpellating another, and then we stop it; we go to another pair then without finishing it, we go to another pair; then we suspend it and then we go to another pair. Is that in accordance with the Rules, Mr. Speaker? This is the first time I heard and witnessed a procedure like this. I have been, modesty aside, a Member of the Eighth, Ninth and Tenth Congresses, and in the last Fourteenth Congress, we always finished the debate between one interpellator and another person. It is not suspended, and then we go to another. We were not following the proper procedure, Mr. Speaker. In which case, considering that the interpellation of the Gentleman, Anthony Golez here, is really very educational which may change the minds of those who are still not decided, may I therefore request, Mr. Speaker, that we continue this debate on Tuesday THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Taada). The session is suspended. REP. ROMUALDO. because, anyway, there are only very few left here, Mr. Speaker. SUSPENSION OF SESSION THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Taada). The session is suspended. It was 7:58 p.m. RESUMPTION OF SESSION At 8:20 p.m., the session was resumed. ADOPTION OF H.RES. NO. 1051 THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Taada). The session is resumed. The Dep. Majority Leader is recognized. SUSPENSION OF CONSIDERATION OF H.B. NO. 4244 REP. FARIAS. Mr. Speaker, in view of the lateness of the hour, I move that we suspend the period of sponsorship and debate on House Bill No. 4244. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Taada). Is there any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the motion is approved. The Dep. Majority Leader is recognized. REP. FARIAS. Mr. Speaker, I move that we adopt a motion directing the Secretary General to transmit to the Senate of the Philippines bills already approved on Third Reading, considering that we have been suspending the
* See MEASURES CONSIDERED (printed separately)

33 sessions so that they will already transmit them to the Senate. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Taada). Is there any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the motion is approved. The Secretary General is directed to transmit to the Senate bills that were approved on Third Reading. CONSIDERATION OF H.RES. NO. 1051 REP. FARIAS. Mr. Speaker, I move that we consider House Resolution No. 1051, under Committee Report No. 1020, as reported out by the Committee on Rules. May I ask that the Secretary General be directed to read only the title of the measure. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Taada). Is there any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the motion is approved.* The Secretary General is directed to read only the title of the measure. With the permission of the Body, and since copies of the measure have been previously distributed, the Secretary General read only the title thereof without prejudice to inserting its text in the Congressional Record. THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Resolution No. 1051, entitled: RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE THREE FILIPINO-AMERICAN PRODUCERS OF THE BEST SHORT FILM GOD OF LOVE IN THE 83rd ANNUAL ACADEMY AWARDS. REP. FARIAS. Mr. Speaker, for a manifestation, this is in consolidation with House Resolution No. 1056. I move for the adoption of House Resolution No. 1051.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Taada). Is there any objection to the adoption of House Resolution No. 1051, in consolidation with House Resolution No. 1056? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the motion is approved. House Resolution No. 1051 is adopted. CONSIDERATION OF H.RES. NO. 1139 REP. FARIAS. Mr. Speaker, I move that we consider House Resolution No. 1139, under Committee Report No. 1021, as reported out by the Committee on Rules. May I ask that the Secretary General be directed to read only the title of the measure. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Taada). Is there any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the motion is approved. The Secretary General is directed to read only the title of the measure.

34 With the permission of the Body, and since copies of the measure have been previously distributed, the Secretary General read only the title thereof without prejudice to inserting its text in the Congressional Record. THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Resolution No. 1139, entitled: RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE PROFOUND SYMPATHY AND HEARTFELT CONDOLENCES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES TO THE GOVERNMENT AND PEOPLE OF THE LEBANESE REPUBLIC FOR THE DEMISE OF FORMER DIRECTOR GENERAL WAFIQ JEZZINI OF THE GENERAL SECURITY SERVICE. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Taada). The Dep. Majority Leader is recognized. REP. FARIAS. Mr. Speaker, I move for the adoption of House Resolution No. 1139.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2011 ADOPTION OF H.RES. NO. 1139 THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Taada). Is there any objection ? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the motion is approved. House Resolution No. 1139 is adopted. The Dep. Majority Leader is recognized. SUSPENSION OF SESSION REP. FARIAS. Mr. Speaker, I move that we suspend the session until Monday, May 30, 2011, at four oclock in the afternoon. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Taada). The session is suspended until Monday, May 30, 2011, at four oclock in the afternoon. It was 8:23 p.m.

Published by the Publication and Editorial Service, Plenary Affairs Bureau The Congressional Record can be accessed through the Downloads Center of the official website of the House of Representatives at www.congress.gov.ph
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