The Reproductive Health Bill that has been languishing in the House of Representatives for the last 15 years has finally been voted on! The vote came after the second reading and the Bill will now travel to the Senate. Naturally, we are thrilled. What was disturbing however, were the arguments that Representatives used in their opposition to the RH Bill. It would seem that they have not been listening for the past decade. It makes us wonder if their responsibility is really to the people of the Philippines. But don’t just take my word for it. Check out the quotes below and judge for yourself.

THE GOOD

“Let us have children by choice, not by chance.” – Rep. Edcel Lagman

“I cast my vote for reason against ignorance, free choice, empowerment of all Filipinos, to conquer poverty” – Rep. Walden Bello

“I am not against life, I am against ignorance. I vote yes to the RH Bill” – Rep. Aglipay

“I am a Catholic. The poor demand this national policy be adopted. I am mandated to listen to
our people.” – Rep. Biazon

“I’m a woman of means, then I lived with the poor & saw women suffering. I do this for the women.” – Rep. Kimi Cojuangco

“The state must be allowed to expand our freedoms to exercise our moral values. Let us show respect for one another.” – Rep. Imelda Dimaporo

“Who would not want better health service, improved health care for our population?” – Rep. Flores

“As a physician I am pro-life and totally against abortion. The bill for me is more acceptable for people’s welfare.” – Rep. Espina

“RH Bill is not about religion, population control. This is pure, simple, responsible legislation.” – Rep. Garin

“The Lord commands, ‘If you love me, you should love your fellow people.’ So I am for the RH Bill.” – Rep. Zeny Maranan

“We speak of the unborn but what about those who are born under these circumstances.” – Rep. Jose Zubiri

THE BAD

“I offer my vote (no) to the Lady of Immaculate Conception and the Lady of Guadalupe.” – Rep. Apacible

“I want my last vote to be a vote for my church. I’ve served for many years and no one asked for condom or IUD.” – Rep. Antonio Alvarez

“The State must not meddle with the church. This bill is population control.” – Rep. Antonino

“We should honor our parents. My parents told me to say no before they passed on.” – Rep. Gonzales

“Any law against natural law is against the law of God.” – Rep. Imelda Marcos

“A hungry stomach cannot swallow pills” – Rep. Pedro Romualdo

THE UGLY

“Communists are behind the RH Bill” – Rep. Alcover

“I wish that in my lifetime we will have enough Filipinos to Filipinize the whole world.” – Rep. Almario

“The recent natural calamities are a sign that the #RHBill is bad.” – Rep. Bagasina

“If we can respect Islam and give them special laws,can we not respect Catholicism and give it special laws?” – Rep. Crisologo

“When the RH Bill is passed, our country will become a modern Sodom and Gomorrah.” – Rep. Garcia

“There’s something terribly wrong when a bill denies the unborn life.” – Rep. Cutie del Mar

“We were all embryos before.” – Rep. Lucy Torres-Gomez

“I want to see more OFWs.” – Rep. Almario

“I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord. Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary. Suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, dead and buried: He descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost. I believe in the holy catholic church: the communion of saints. The forgiveness of sins. The resurrection of the body. And the life everlasting. Amen.” – Rep. Augusto Syjuco

Click here for a complete tally of the RH Bill voting.