Congressional Record

PLENARY PROCEEDINGS OF THE 15th CONGRESS, FIRST REGULAR SESSION

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Vol. 4 RESUMPTION OF SESSION 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, I move that we take up 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 is so directed. 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. 4658, entitled: AN ACT DECLARING THE MT. INAYAWAN RANGE, LOCATED IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF NUNUNGAN, PROVINCE OF LANAO DEL NORTE, AS A PROTECTED AREA, PROVIDING FOR ITS MANAGEMENT AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES By Representative Dimaporo (F.) TO THE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES House Bill No. 4660, entitled: AN ACT TO FURTHER STRENGTHEN THE ANTIDRUG CAMPAIGN OF THE GOVERNMENT AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 21 OF REPUBLIC ACT 9165 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE COMPREHENSIVE DANGEROUS DRUGS ACT OF 2002 By Representative Belmonte (V.) TO THE COMMITTEE ON DANGEROUS DRUGS House Bill No. 4661, entitled: CONVERTING HIGATANGAN ISLAND BARANGAY CIRCUMFERENTIAL ROAD IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF NAVAL, IN THE House Bill No. 4664, entitled: AN ACT SEPARATING THE STA. MONICA HIGH SCHOOL ANNEX IN BARANGAY STA. MONICA, CITY OF PUERTO PRINCESA, PROVINCE OF PALAWAN FROM SICSICAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, CONVERTING IT INTO AN INDEPENDENT NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL TO BE KNOWN AS STA. MONICA NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR By Representative Socrates TO THE COMMITTEE ON BASIC EDUCATION AND CULTURE House Bill No. 4665, entitled: AN ACT SEPARATING THE BUGSUK NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL - BANCALAAN ANNEX IN BARANGAY BANCALAAN, MUNICIPALITY OF BALABAC, PROVINCE OF PALAWAN FROM BUGSUK NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, CONVERTING IT INTO AN INDEPENDENT NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL TO BE KNOWN AS BANCALAAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR By Representative Socrates Tuesday, May 24, 2011 No. 72a PROVINCE OF BILIRAN, INTO A NATIONAL CIRCUMFERENTIAL ROAD AND TO PROVIDE FUNDS THEREOF By Representative Espina TO THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS AND HIGHWAYS House Bill No. 4662, entitled: AN ACT MANDATING THE CONSTRUCTION OF MAASIN CITY BONTOC ROAD IN SOUTHERN LEYTE By Representative Mercado (R.) TO THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS AND HIGHWAYS House Bill No. 4663, entitled: AN ACT CHANGING THE NAME OF CANUMAY NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL IN BARANGAY CANUMAY, CITY OF VALENZUELA TO CANUMAY WEST NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL By Representative Gatchalian TO THE COMMITTEE ON BASIC EDUCATION AND CULTURE

2 TO THE COMMITTEE ON BASIC EDUCATION AND CULTURE House Bill No. 4666, entitled: AN ACT CONVERTING THE LEON - SAN REMEGIO ROAD IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF LEON IN THE SECOND DISTRICT OF ILOILO INTO A NATIONAL ROAD AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR By Representative Syjuco TO THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS AND HIGHWAYS House Bill No. 4669, entitled: AN ACT GRANTING A TWENTY PERCENT (20%) FUEL DISCOUNT FOR SENIOR CITIZENS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9994, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE EXPANDED SENIOR CITIZENS ACT OF 2010 By Representative Golez (A.) TO THE COMMITTEE ON POPULATION AND FAMILY RELATIONS House Bill No. 4670, entitled: AN ACT CREATING AN ADDITIONAL BRANCH OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURT TO BE STATIONED AT THE CITY OF GUIHULNGAN, PROVINCE OF NEGROS ORIENTAL, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 14, PARAGRAPH (H), OF BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 129, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980AS AMENDED, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR By Representative Limkaichong TO THE COMMITTEE ON JUSTICE House Bill No. 4671, entitled: AN ACT REPEALING THE PROVISION ON ASSUMPTION OF JURISDICTION UNDER PARAGRAPH G, ARTICLE 263 OF PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 442, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE LABOR CODE OF PHILIPPINES By Representative Mariano TO THE COMMITTEE ON LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT House Bill No. 4683, entitled: AN ACT AMENDING ARTICLE 132 OF PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NUMBER FOUR HUNDRED FORTY-TWO (PD 442), AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE LABOR CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES By Representatives De Jesus, Ilagan, Casio, Mariano, Palatino and Tinio TO THE COMMITTEE ON LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT House Bill No. 4684, entitled: AN ACT GRANTING UNIVERSAL MATERNITY LEAVE BENEFITS TO WOMEN IN GOVERNMENT SERVICE

TUESDAY, MAY 24, 2011 By Representatives De Jesus, Ilagan, Casio, Mariano, Palatino and Tinio TO THE COMMITTEE ON CIVIL SERVICE AND PROFESSIONAL REGULATION RESOLUTIONS House Resolution No. 1262, entitled: A RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COMMITTEE ON GOOD GOVERNMENT TO CONDUCT AN INQUIRY, IN AID OF LEGISLATION ON THE EXCESSIVE BENEFITS THAT BOARD MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNMENT SERVICE INSURANCE SYSTEM RECEIVED By Representatives Rodriguez (R.) and Rodriguez (M.) TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES House Resolution No. 1263, entitled: A RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COMMITTEE ON ENERGY TO CONDUCT AN INQUIRY, IN AID OF LEGISLATION ON THE VIABILITY OF THE SABAH-PHILIPPINES GRID INTERCONNECTION By Representatives Rodriguez (R.) and Rodriguez (M.) TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES House Resolution No. 1264, entitled: A RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COMMITTEE ON ECOLOGY TO CONDUCT AN INQUIRY, IN AID OF LEGISLATION ON REPORTS THAT COLIFORM IS PRESENT IN DIFFERENT RIVERS IN THE PHILIPPINES By Representatives Rodriguez (M.) and Rodriguez (R.) TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES House Resolution No. 1265, entitled: A RESOLUTION TO EXPRESS THE SENSE OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES URGING HIS EXCELLENCY PRESIDENT BENIGNO S. AQUINO III, THE COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION (CHED), DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION (DEPED) TO IMPOSE A MORATORIUM ON THE INCREASE OF SCHOOL FEES, PARTICULARLY TUITION FEES IN ALL LEVELS OF EDUCATION IN VIEW OF THE INCESSANTLY FRUSTRATING INCREASE OF BASIC GOODS AND COMMODITIES THAT ADDS TO THE BURDEN OF THE FILIPINO PEOPLE By Representative Evardone TO THE COMMITTEE ON BASIC EDUCATION AND CULTURE AND THE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION House Resolution No. 1266, entitled: RESOLUTION URGING THE NATIONAL HISTORICAL COMMISSION TO INCLUDE THE TOWN OF BACOLOR, PAMPANGA AS ONE OF THE OFFICIAL SITES FOR THE YEARLY PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION By Representative Gonzales (A.) TO THE COMMITTEE ON BASIC EDUCATION AND CULTURE

TUESDAY, MAY 24, 2011 House Resolution No. 1267, entitled: RESOLUTION URGING THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TO STRONGLY CONDEMN THE BLATANT ATROCITIES INFLICTED BY THE MAOIST TERRORIST COMMUNIST PARTY OF THE PHILIPPINESNEW PEOPLES ARMY-NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC FRONT (CPP-NPA-NDF) AGAINST THE FILIPINO PEOPLE DURING THE PERIOD IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO, DURING, AND IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE FORMAL PEACE NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE PHILIPPINES (GPH) PANEL AND THE MAOIST TERRORIST NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC FRONT (NDF) IN OSLO, NORWAY, LAST FEBRUARY 2011, AS A CLEAR MANIFESTATION OF THEIR UTTER INSINCERITY IN SEEKING THE PATH OF PEACE AND HIGHLY OUTRAGEOUS DISREGARD FOR HUMAN LIFE By Representative Alcover TO THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON PEACE, RECONCILIATION AND UNITY House Resolution No. 1268, entitled: RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COMMITTEE ON AGRARIAN REFORM TO CONDUCT AN IMMEDIATE INVESTIGATION, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, ON THE PLIGHT OF FARMERS AND RESIDENTS IN PUJALTE E S TAT E C O V E R I N G 1 , 2 6 5 H E C TA R E S WHO ARE T H R E AT E N E D OF DISPLACEMENT AND EJECTMENT BROUGHT BY PLANNED LAND-USE C O N V E R S I O N I N M U N I C I PA L I T Y O F TAYTAY, PALAWAN By Representative Mariano TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES House Resolution No. 1269, entitled: RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON GLOBALIZATION AND WTO TO CONDUCT AN INQUIRY ON THE EFFECTS OF CORN IMPORTATION IN THE COUNTRY TO BE ABLE TO COME UP WITH REMEDIAL LEGISLATIVE MEASURES TO STOP THE ENTRY OF CHEAP CORN IMPORTS AND ALLEVIATE THE PLIGHT OF FILIPINO CORN FARMERS By Representative Mariano TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES House Resolution No. 1270, entitled: RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND FOOD TO CONDUCT AN INQUIRY, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, INTO THE STATUS OF AGRICULTURAL COMPETITIVENESS ENHANCEMENT FUND (ACEF) ESTABLISHED UNDER REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8178, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS AN ACT REPLACING QUANTITATIVE

3 IMPORT RESTRICTIONS ON AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS, EXCEPT RICE, WITH TARIFFS, CREATING THE AGRICULTURAL COMPETITIVENESS ENHANCEMENT FUND, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES AND THE DISBURSEMENTS MADE THEREFROM TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE SAME REDOUNDED TO THE BENEFIT OF LOCAL PRODUCERS AS MANDATED BY LAW By Representative Mariano TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES House Resolution No. 1271, entitled: R E S O L U T I O N U R G I N G C O N G R E S S TO INVESTIGATE, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, THE INCREASE IN TOLL RATES AT THE SOUTH LUZON EXPRESSWAY AND ON T H E P R O C E D U R E B Y T H E TO L L REGULATORY BOARD IN DETERMINING SAID RATES WITHOUT PRIOR PUBLIC HEARING By Representative Mercado (H.) TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES COMMITTEE REPORTS Report by the Committee on Natural Resources and the Committee on Appropriations (Committee Report No. 944), re H. No. 4705, entitled: AN ACT DECLARING THE TINUY-AN FALLS AND ITS WATERSHED AREAS WITHIN THE CITY OF BISLIG, SURIGAO DEL SUR AS A PROTECTED AREA UNDER THE CATEGORY OF PROTECTED LANDSCAPE PURSUANT TO REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7586, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE NATIONAL INTEGRATED PROTECTED AREAS SYSTEM ACT OF 1992, PROVIDING FOR ITS MANAGEMENT AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES recommending its approval in substitution of House Bill No. 443 Sponsors: Representatives Matugas, Abaya and Garay TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES Report by the Committee on Transportation (Committee Report No. 945), re H. R. No. 772, entitled: A RESOLUTION CALLING FOR INVESTIGATION IN AID OF LEGISLATION INTO THE TAKE OVER OF THE LTO IT FACILITY LAST DECEMBER 9, 2010 informing the House of its findings and recommendations Sponsors: Representatives Mercado (R.) and Sarmiento (M.) TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES Report by the Committee on Basic Education and Culture (Committee Report No. 946), re H. No. 342, entitled: AN ACT ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL IN BARANGAY PANIKIAN, MUNICIPALITY OF BANAYBANAY, PROVINCE OF DAVAO ORIENTAL TO BE

4 KNOWN AS PANIKIAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR recommending its approval without amendment Sponsors: Representatives Escudero and Almario TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES Report by the Committee on Basic Education and Culture (Committee Report No. 947), re H. No. 547, entitled: AN ACT ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL IN BARANGAY POBLACION, MUNICIPALITY OF MAHINOG, PROVINCE OF CAMIGUIN TO BE KNOWN AS THE MAHINOG NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL II AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR recommending its approval without amendment Sponsors: Representatives Escudero and Romualdo TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES Report by the Committee on Basic Education and Culture (Committee Report No. 948), re H. No. 749, entitled: AN ACT ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL IN BARANGAY CITRUS, CITY OF SAN JOSE DEL MONTE, PROVINCE OF BULACAN, TO BE KNOWN AS CITRUS NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR recommending its approval without amendment Sponsors: Representatives Escudero and Robes TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES Report by the Committee on Basic Education and Culture (Committee Report No. 949), re H. No. 904, entitled: AN ACT SEPARATING THE BISLIG CITY NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL-SAN ISIDRO ANNEX IN BARANGAY SAN ISIDRO, CITY OF BISLIG, PROVINCE OF SURIGAO DEL SUR, FROM THE BISLIG CITY NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, CONVERTING IT INTO AN INDEPENDENT NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL TO BE KNOWN AS SAN ISIDRO NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR recommending its approval without amendment Sponsors: Representatives Escudero and Garay TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES Report by the Committee on Basic Education and Culture (Committee Report No. 950), re H. No. 905, entitled: AN ACT SEPARATING THE BISLIG CITY NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL-BUCTO ANNEX IN BARANGAY BUCTO, CITY OF BISLIG, PROVINCE OF SURIGAO DEL SUR, FROM THE BISLIG CITY NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, CONVERTING IT INTO AN INDEPENDENT NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL TO BE KNOWN AS BUCTO NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
* See MEASURES CONSIDERED (printed separately)

TUESDAY, MAY 24, 2011 recommending its approval without amendment Sponsors: Representatives Escudero and Garay TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES Report by the Committee on Basic Education and Culture (Committee Report No. 951), re H. No. 1154, entitled: AN ACT ESTABLISHING AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN BARANGAY LINAMPONGAN, MUNICIPALITY OF PONTEVEDRA, CAPIZ TO BE KNOWN AS CONGRESSMAN DINGGOY ARANETA ROXAS MEMORIAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFORE recommending its approval with amendments Sponsors: Representatives Escudero and Del Rosario TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES Report by the Committee on Basic Education and Culture (Committee Report No. 952), re H. No. 1318, entitled: AN ACT CONVERTING THE SANTA JUANA PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL IN BARANGAY SANTA JUANA, MUNICIPALITY OF TAGBINA, PROVINCE OF SURIGAO DEL SUR INTO A NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL TO BE KNOWN AS THE SANTA JUANA NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR recommending its approval without amendment Sponsors: Representatives Escudero and Garay TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES Report by the Committee on Natural Resources (Committee Report No. 953), re H. No. 4711, entitled: AN ACT IMPOSING A LOGGING BAN IN THE SECOND DISTRICT OF THE PROVINCE OF SURIGAO DEL SUR recommending its approval in substitution of House Bill No. 2535 Sponsors: Representatives Matugas and Garay TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). The Dep. Majority Leader is recognized. CONSIDERATION OF H.B. NO. 4585 ON SECOND READING PERIOD OF SPONSORSHIP AND DEBATE REP. FARIAS. Mr. Speaker, I move that we consider House Bill No. 4585, as contained in Committee Report No. 905, as reported out by the Committee on Higher and Technical Education. 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.

TUESDAY, MAY 24, 2011 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. 4585, entitled: AN ACT CONVERTING THE KALINGAAPAYAO STATE COLLEGE IN THE CITY OF TABUK, PROVINCE OF KALINGA, INTO A STATE UNIVERSITY TO BE KNOWN AS THE KALINGA STATE UNIVERSITY AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR. 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. REP. FARIAS. Mr. Speaker, considering that no Member has signified his intent to debate on the matter, I move that we now terminate the period of sponsorship and debate and open 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, considering that there are no committee amendments 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. 4585, as contained in Committee Report No. 905. VIVA VOCE VOTING THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). As many as are in favor, 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. 4585 ON SECOND READING THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). The ayes have it; the motion is approved.
* See MEASURES CONSIDERED (printed separately)

5 House Bill No. 4585 is approved on Second Reading. The Dep. Majority Leader may proceed. CONSIDERATION OF H.B. NO. 4586 ON SECOND READING PERIOD OF SPONSORSHIP AND DEBATE REP. FARIAS. Mr. Speaker, I move that we consider on Second Reading House Bill No. 4586, as contained in Committee Report No. 906, as reported out by the Committee on Higher and Technical Education. 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. 4586, entitled: AN ACT ESTABLISHING A STATE COLLEGE IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF COMPOSTELA, PROVINCE OF COMPOSTELA VALLEY, TO BE KNOWN AS THE COMPOSTELA VALLEY STATE COLLEGE, INTEGRATING THEREWITH AS REGULAR BRANCHES THE BUKIDNON STATE UNIVERSITY EXTERNAL STUDIES CENTERS IN THE MUNICIPALITIES OF MONKAYO, MARAGUSAN, MONTEVISTA AND NEW BATAAN, ALL LOCATED IN THE PROVINCE OF COMPOSTELA VALLEY, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR. 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 on the measure.

6 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 amendments or individual amendments introduced by Members, 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. 4586, as contained in Committee Report No. 906. VIVA VOCE VOTING THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). As many as are in favor, 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. 4586 ON SECOND READING THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). The ayes have it; the motion is approved. H o u s e B i l l N o . 4 5 8 6 i s a p p r oved on Second Reading. The Dep. Majority Leader is recognized. CONSIDERATION OF H.B. NO. 4573 ON SECOND READING PERIOD OF SPONSORSHIP AND DEBATE REP. FARIAS. Mr. Speaker, I move that we consider House Bill No. 4573, as contained in Committee Report No. 901, as reported out by the Committee on Local Government. 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.
* See MEASURES CONSIDERED (printed separately)

TUESDAY, MAY 24, 2011 THE SECRETARY GENERAL, House Bill No. 4573, entitled: AN ACT REVERTING THE NAME OF THE PROVINCE OF COTABATO TO ITS ORIGINAL NAME, NORTH COTABATO, REPEALING FOR THE PURPOSE BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 660. 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, I move that we terminate the period of sponsorship and debate 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, I move that we open the period of amendments 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 there are no committee amendments 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. 4573, as contained in Committee Report No. 901. VIVA VOCE VOTING THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). As many as are in favor, 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. 4573 ON SECOND READING THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). The ayes have it; the motion is approved. House Bill No. 4573 is approved on Second Reading. The Dep. Majority Leader may proceed.

TUESDAY, MAY 24, 2011 SUSPENSION OF SESSION REP. FARIAS. Mr. Speaker. I move that we suspend the session for a few minutes. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Villarosa). The session is suspended for a few minutes. It was 4:08 p.m. RESUMPTION OF SESSION At 4:10 p.m., the session was resumed. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). The session is resumed. The Sr. Dep. Majority Leader is recognized. REP. GARIN (J.). Mr. Speaker, last May 17, 2011 the House received the Bicameral Conference Committee Report on the disagreeing provisions of Senate Bill No. 2640 and House Bill No. 4067, entitled: AN ACT TO PROMOTE FINANCIAL VIABILITY AND FISCAL DISCIPLINE IN GOVERNMENT-OWNED OR -CONTROLLED CORPORATIONS AND TO STRENGTHEN THE ROLE OF THE STATE IN ITS GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT TO MAKE THEM MORE RESPONSIVE TO THE NEEDS OF PUBLIC INTEREST AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. Mr. Speaker, early this morning the honorable Speaker received a letter from our distinguished Chairman of the Committee on Appropriations, the Honorable Abaya. In line with this, allow me to move that we recommit the same report to the Bicameral Conference Committee in view of some amendments that were inadvertently not considered by the conferees. I so move, Mr. Speaker. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). What is the pleasure of the Sr. Dep. Majority Leader? REP. GARIN (J.). Mr. Speaker, allow me to reiterate my motion to recommit the Bicameral Conference THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). Is there any objection to the motion to recommit? REP. ALBANO. Mr. Speaker. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). The Gentleman from Isabela is recognized. REP. ALBANO. I would like to inquire from our Sr. Dep. Majority Leader: what would be the effect of such recommitment of the bill, considering that the Senate has already concurred with this bill? REP. GARIN (J.). Mr. Speaker, if a Bicameral Conference Committee Report is recommitted to the Bicameral Conference Committee, then the Members of both the Upper House and the Lower House will sit down and work on the amendments that were inadvertently not

7 considered. I believe the Upper House would be doing the same; the Upper House would also be recommitting the bill. I am not sure but I believe the Senate has not acted upon this Bicameral Conference Committee Report. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). Is the Gentleman from Isabela satisfied with the explanation of the Sr. Dep. Majority Leader? REP. ALBANO. Except, Mr. Speaker, for the affirmation of our Sr. Dep. Majority Leader that the Senate is the Upper House and we are the Lower House. We are the Bigger House and we represent the whole country. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). The Chair understands that the Gentleman from Isabela is not objecting to the motion. REP. ALBANO. Mr. Speaker, after the explanation of the Sr. Dep. Majority Leader that there will be another Bicameral Conference Committee meeting on this particular bill to take up the serious amendments that were inadvertently omitted, I will refrain from further interpellation, Mr. Speaker. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). Is there any objection to the motion to recommit? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the motion is approved. The Sr. Dep. Majority Leader is recognized. REP. GARIN (J.). Mr. Speaker, I move that we take up administrative matters, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I move for the change of referral of the following measures: House Bill No. 2394, AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A MAGNA CARTA FOR BARANGAY HEALTH WORKERS, from the Committee on Health to the Committee on Local Government; House Bill No. 3652, AN ACT PLACING THE PROVINCIAL, SUB-PROVINCIAL AND DISTRICT JAILS UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF THE BUREAU OF JAIL MANAGEMENT AND PENOLOGY, from the Committees on Local Government and Public Order and Safety to the Committee on Public Order and Safety; House Bills No. 98, 223, 2926, 2966 and 3046, defining and penalizing enforced or involuntary disappearance, from the Committee on Justice to the Committees on Justice and Human Rights; House Bills No. 2160 and 3079, defining, qualifying salvaging or extrajudicial killing or summary execution by any public officer, from the Committee on Justice to the Committees on Justice and Human Rights; Privilege Speech delivered by Rep. Susan A. Yap, with regard to cases of trafficking in persons particularly women, from the Committee on Women to the Committee on Revision of Laws; and Privilege Speech delivered by Rep. Emmi A. de Jesus, entitled: The Working Women and the Conditional Cash Transfer Program, from the Committee on Social Services to the Committee on Poverty Alleviation. I so move, Mr. Speaker. REP. ESCUDERO. Mr. Speaker.

8 THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). For what reason does the Gentleman from Sorsogon rise? REP. ESCUDERO. Mr. Speaker, this Representation vividly recalls that he made a request last year before the Chair to make sure that the materials being given to the Members of the House are duly acknowledged as to the source so that we can make proper judgment. This afternoon, there is again a photocopy of a column of a distinguished, credible columnist, Mr. Randy David, but there is, again, no indication as to the source. REP. GARIN (J.). Mr. Speaker, with due respect to the Honorable Escudero, allow me to respond to his query after the Chair approves my previous motion for the change of referral of the various measures I have mentioned awhile ago. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). The Gentleman from Sorsogon has presented a parliamentary inquiry and we have not yet begun the vote on the motion. Therefore, the Gentleman from Sorsogon deserves an answer or an explanation, if the Sr. Dep. Majority Leader cares to respond to the parliamentary inquiry. Would the Sr. Dep. Majority Leader respond to the parliamentary inquiry before the motion is put to a vote? REP. GARIN (J.). Mr. Speaker, with due respect to the honorable Chair and one of the most distinguished legislators we have in our country, the Honorable Sonny Escuderonot to mention that his wit is among those I most admireI do agree with him in his statement that materials distributed or placed on the tables of Members of this august Body should bear the name or the source of the person who instructed the Secretariat to distribute the same. With this, Mr. Speaker, allow me to request the Secretary General to remind all plenary Pages that anything that will be distributed here should bear the name of the requesting Member of this House so as to avoid confusion, and in order for this Congress to have a more systematic THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). In view of the observation of the Gentleman from Sorsogon, and the remarks made by the Sr. Dep. Majority Leader, the Secretary General is reminded to conform to the request and suggestion previously made by the Gentleman from Sorsogon and reiterated when he stood up earlier today. REP. ESCUDERO. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Sr. Dep. Majority Leader. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). All right. The House will now vote on the omnibus REP. APOSTOL. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Speaker. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). The Gentleman from Leyte is recognized. REP. APOSTOL. Allow me to have a privilege speech on the motion. REP. GARIN (J.). Mr. Speaker, with due courtesy to the Honorable Apostol, I have a pending motion insofar as the

TUESDAY, MAY 24, 2011 change of referral of the various measures mentioned awhile ago is concerned. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). Yes. REP. GARIN (J.). Allow me to reiterate my previous motion, Mr. Speaker. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). The Chair has already called for a vote on the motion, REP. APOSTOL. Yes, Mr. Speaker, but that motion is not given any preference under the Rules. What is given preference is the motion to rise on a question of personal and collective privilege and also the motion to adjourn. SUSPENSION OF SESSION THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). The session is suspended for one minute. It was 4:19 p.m. RESUMPTION OF SESSION At 4:28 p.m., the session was resumed. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). The session is resumed. The Chair recognizes the Gentleman from the Second District of Leyte. REP. APOSTOL. I am ready to answer any interpellations, but due to the request of the Sr. Dep. Majority Leader, I am actually, in the meantime, withdrawing my motion. I was forced to do that because the editorial of the Philippine Star is criticizing the delay of this bill. In effect, it is hitting the leadership and since I am the Chairman of the Committee, I am included in that. Anyway, out of deference to the request of the Sr. Dep. Majority Leader, I am, in the meantime, withdrawing my motion. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). All right. The Chair will now call for a vote on the motion. There is an omnibus motion for the change of referral of certain measures before the House. Is there any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the motion is approved. The Dep. Majority Leader is recognized. OMNIBUS ADOPTION OF HOUSE RESOLUTIONS REP. FARIAS. Mr. Speaker, I move that we take up the Business for the Day by way of an omnibus adoption of 15 House resolutions authorizing the conduct of inquiries, in aid of legislation, as contained in Committee Reports No. 954 up to and inclusive of 968, to wit: 1. Committee Report No. 954 on House Resolution No. 1136; 2. Committee Report No. 955 on House Resolution No. 1141;

TUESDAY, MAY 24, 2011 3. Committee Report No. 956 on House Resolution No. 1143; 4. Committee Report No. 957 on House Resolution No. 1144; 5. Committee Report No. 958 on House Resolution No. 1147; 6. Committee Report No. 959 on House Resolution No. 1148; 7. Committee Report No. 960 on House Resolution No. 1149; 8. Committee Report No. 961 on House Resolution No. 1152; 9. Committee Report No. 962 on House Resolution No. 1154; 10. Committee Report No. 963 on House Resolution No. 1155; 11. Committee Report No. 964 on House Resolution No. 1156; 12. Committee Report No. 965 on House Resolution No. 1157; 13. Committee Report No. 966 on House Resolution No. 1158; 14. Committee Report No. 967 on House Resolution No. 1159; and 15. Committee Report No. 968 on House Resolution No. 1160. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). Is there any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the motion is approved. The resolutions mentioned by the Dep. Majority Leader are hereby adopted.

9 REP. FARIAS. Mr. Speaker, I move that we recognize the honorable Sponsor, the Minority Leader, Hon. Edcel C. Lagman, for the continuation of his sponsorship; and the honorable Deputy Speaker Pablo P. Garcia for the continuation of his interpellation. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). For the record, the Dep. Majority Leader will please indicate the parliamentary status of the measure. REP. FARIAS. The parliamentary status of the measure is it is in the period of sponsorship and debate. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). All right. The Chair recognizes the distinguished Sponsor of the measure, the Hon. Edcel C. Lagman, as well as the distinguished Gentleman from Cebu, Deputy Speaker Pablo P. Garcia, who will conduct the interpellation of the Sponsor on the measure. The Gentleman from Cebu may now proceed if he so desires. SUSPENSION OF SESSION REP. GARCIA (P.). I am fixing my notes, Mr. Speaker. May I ask for five minutes suspension of the session. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). The session is suspended for a few minutes. It was 4:32 p.m. RESUMPTION OF SESSION

CONSIDERATION OF H.B. NO. 4244 Continuation PERIOD OF SPONSORSHIP AND DEBATE REP. FARIAS. Mr. Speaker, I move that we take up the Unfinished Business by considering House Bill No. 4244 as contained in Committee Report No. 664, and I ask that the Secretary General be directed to read the title of the bill. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). Is there any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the motion is approved. The Secretary General is so directed. 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. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). The Dep. Majority Leader is recognized.
* See MEASURES CONSIDERED (printed separately)

At 4:32 p.m., the session was resumed. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). The session is resumed. While the Gentleman from Cebu is arranging his notes, the Floor Leader would like to acknowledge the presence of guests who are now in the hall. The Floor Leader will please make the acknowledgment. REP. BENALDO. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, may we acknowledge the presence of the guests of Gabriela Womens Party Representatives, Hon. Luzviminda C. Ilagan and Hon. Emmi A. De Jesus: the members of the Gabriela Womens Party from Brgy. Sto. Nio, Marikina; Brgy. Tandang Sora, Quezon City; and Intramuros, Manila. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). Welcome to the House of Representatives. (Applause) REP. BENALDO. Mr. Speaker, may we acknowledge the presence of the guests of the Hon. Isidro Q. Lico of ATING-KOOP Party-List. We have this afternoon the members of the Commission on Family and Life, Service of Sto. Cristo Parish, Marulas, Valenzuela City, led by Babeth Mempin. (Applause)

10 THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). The presence of the guests is acknowledged. Welcome to the House of Representatives. (Applause)

TUESDAY, MAY 24, 2011 REP. LOYOLA. Mr. Speaker, may we acknowledge the presence of the guests of Hon. Reynaldo V. Umali from the Second District of Oriental Mindoro. They are Vice Mayor Roberto Morente, Municipal Councilor Mirasol Jamilia, Councilor Rodolfo Magsino, Councilor Arnel Abrenica, Councilor Severino Narito, Councilor Epifanio Real, and SB Secretary Celso Jamig Jr. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). The guests are welcome to the House. (Applause) SUSPENSION OF SESSION REP. FARIAS. Mr. Speaker, I move that the session be suspended for a few minutes.

REP. BENALDO. Mr. Speaker, may we acknowledge the presence of the guests of the Hon. Roy M. Loyola from the Fifth District of Cavite: the members of the Sangguniang Kabataan Federation of Carmona, Cavite headed by SK Chairman Roy A. Loyola Jr. (Applause) THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). Welcome to the House of Representatives. (Applause)

REP. BENALDO. Mr. Speaker, we have so many guests. May we acknowledge the presence of the RH supporters from the Reproductive Health Advocacy Network (RHAN) and the RH supporters from the multisectoral groups. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). Welcome to the House of Representatives. (Applause) The Floor Leader will please proceed. REP. BENALDO. Mr. Speaker, may we acknowledge the presence of the members of the Alliance of Young Nurse Leaders and Advocates, Intl., the Aksyon Kababaihan, Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino, DAMPA, Democratic Socialist Women of the Philippines, Family Planning Organization of the Philippines, Kapisanan ng mga Kamag-Anak ng Migranteng Manggagawang Pilipino, Likhaan Center for Womens Health, Manggagawang Kababaihang Mithi ay Paglaya (MAKALAYA), Piglas Kababaihan, Pinagsamang Lakas ng Kababaihan at Kabataan, ReproCen, Zone One Tondo Organization, WomanHealth Philippines, and Young Womens Choice. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). Welcome to the House of Representatives. (Applause) REP. BENALDO. Mr. Speaker, we also have this afternoon the members of the Filipino FreeThinkers, Freedom from Debt Coalition Womens Committee, Kongreso ng Pagkakaisa ng mga Maralita ng Lungsod, Pambansang Kalipunan ng mga Manggagawang Impormal sa Pilipinas, Partido Lakas ng Masa, Partido ng Manggagawa - Pasay City, City of Manila, Caloocan City, Quezon City, and Peer Educator Movement for Empowerment. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). The guests are welcome to the House. (Applause) REP. LOYOLA. Mr. Speaker, may we acknowledge the presence of the guests of Rep. David L. Kho of Senior Citizens Party-List: the Lifeline Foundation Support Team, namely: Jose Luis Gonzales, Candace-Schmidt-Gonzales, Betty Romero, Marissa Recto, Andrea Recto, Robert Mesa, Alvin Diaz, Arlene Diaz, Dana Diaz, Raffy Jamolangue, Judy Jamolangue, Ernest Dela Cuesta, Dorothy Alforque and Lorna Otsuka. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). Welcome to the House of Representatives. (Applause)

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). The session is suspended for a few minutes. It was 4:37 p.m. RESUMPTION OF SESSION At 4:43 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 suspend the consideration of House Bill No. 4244, as contained in Committee Report No. 664. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). Is there any objection to the motion? REP. GARCIA (P.). Mr. Speaker. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). The Gentleman from Cebu is recognized. For what reason does the Gentleman rise? REP. GARCIA (P.). I am ready with my interpellation. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). The Gentleman is now ready. REP. FARIAS. Mr. Speaker, I withdraw my motion, considering that the honorable Deputy Speaker is ready with his interpellation. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). The motion is withdrawn. REP. FARIAS. The parliamentary status, to reiterate, Mr. Speaker, is that we are in the period of sponsorship and debate on House Bill No. 4244. We move that the honorable Minority Leader, Edcel C. Lagman, the Sponsor, be recognized for the sponsorship and the honorable Deputy Speaker Pablo P. Garcia be recognized for his interpellation. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Daza). All right. The Gentleman from Cebu, Deputy Speaker Pablo P. Garcia, is

TUESDAY, MAY 24, 2011 recognized to interpellate the distinguished Sponsor, the distinguished Minority Leader. REP. GARCIA (P.). Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Before I resume my interpellation and since, in the consideration of this bill, unavoidably, we have to deal with issues that impact most intimately our relations with God, our Creator, I seek the cooperation of the Sponsors in setting the right spiritual tone or mood for our discussion. Our Lord, the Son of God and who is God Himself, has said, Wherever two or three are gathered in My name, there I am among them. We are gathered here in His name. In fact, we start our daily sessions with a prayer and we are herenot just two or three of us, but, I believe, more than 200. So, Mr. Speaker, God is here in our midst in this Chamber, watching us if the bills we pass here are in accordance with His will. Yes, God is here, Mr. Speaker, in this Chamber, which is hallowed by His presence. Now, I am ready to have the honor of asking questions to our distinguished Sponsor. In the sponsorship speech of the distinguished Minority Leader, he said: We must not allow religious intolerance to consign mothers into early death because family planning services are not available to them so they could avoid high risk pregnancies. Mr. Speaker, distinguished Sponsor, the most urgent and vocal oppositor to the RH Bill is the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), as supported by our two cardinals, notably, Cardinal Rosales and Cardinal Vidal. Mr. Speaker, is the Gentleman referring to the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines when he said that we must not allow religious intolerance to consign mothers into early death? REP. LAGMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am reiterating the statement which I made in my sponsorship speech, as correctly quoted by the distinguished Gentleman from Cebu, and I would like to underscore that if we deprive couples, particularly women, of medically safe, legal and effective modes of family planning, including contraception, by limiting them to what has been endorsed by the Catholic hierarchythe traditional and natural modes of family planningour women would be exposed to high-risk pregnancies which can result in the death of so many mothers. In fact, 11 mothers die in the Philippines daily as a complication of pregnancy and childbirth. What are these high-risk pregnancies? They are captured in this statement: Too young, too old, too many and too soon. Let me explain. A woman under 18 years oldand many of our pregnancies constitute this sector of our society known as teenage pregnanciesher body is not really prepared yet for pregnancy and childbirth, and that is why her pregnancy is considered high-risk. The data would show that countless teenage mothers die because of complications from pregnancy and childbirth. In the same token, the constitution of a woman above 35 years old is likewise not anymore ready for pregnancy and childbirth and her pregnancy would also be considered a high-risk pregnancy. Too many unremitting pregnancies would result to the death of many mothers because a woman needs at least three years to recover from pregnancy and childbirth. For too

11 many: we have women, particularly in the marginalized and informal sectors, who have already too many children, and that would also account for high-risk pregnancies, which would result to maternal mortality and even infant mortality. So, if we follow the Church dogma limiting family planning to only natural family planning methods, we are actually inflicting violence against our womenphysical, psychological and financial violence, which is actually a violation of the law. It is physical violence because we expose them to the risk of pregnancy which could result in maternal death and other complications. It is psychological violence because many women who cannot afford another child would be forced to resort to abortion and that leaves a psychological scar on these women who, incidentally, are not teenage mothers and single women. Data would show they are young, married Catholic women who cannot afford another child. It is financial violence because unremitting pregnancies would subjugate women perpetually to financial dependence because they cannot pursue and complete their education and secure remunerative work or employment. So, this is the essence of my sponsorship speech and, among others, it is directed against the hierarchy of the Catholic Church. We should always remember that religious dogma should be confined within the Church community; adherence to religious tenets and beliefs should be solid between the Church and the faithful; observance of the teachings of the Church cannot be imposed by legislation upon the public, particularly in a secular state like the Philippines. We are reminded by the injunction of no less than Jesus Christ, Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesars, and to God the things which are Gods. REP. GARCIA (P.). Is the Gentleman through, Mr. Speaker? REP. LAGMAN. Yes, Mr. Speaker. REP. GARCIA (P.). In so many words, I regret to say and with all due respect, that the Gentleman did not answer my question. My question was whether the Gentleman is accusing the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines and our highly-respected Cardinal Vidal and Cardinal Rosales of religious intolerance as expressed in his speech REP. LAGMAN. Mr. Speaker, very clear ... REP. GARCIA (P.). and thus, consign mothers to their early death. Will the Gentleman answer the question directly? REP. LAGMAN. Mr. Speaker, I have answered the question adequately when I said that my remarks in my sponsorship speech were directed, among others, to the hierarchy of the Catholic Church, and the hierarchy of the Catholic Church is composed of bishops. If the distinguished Gentleman from Cebu could not comprehend that answer, then I would suspect that I need to spell out to him the meaning of that statement. To me, there is no need to elaborate because the answer is very clear. My statement is directed against the hierarchy of the Catholic Church, and let me reiterate that the hierarchy is composed of the bishops.

12 REP. GARCIA (P.). In other words and to make it as clear and as plain as possible, by accusing the hierarchy of the Catholic Church, the Gentleman is accusing His Eminence, Cardinal Rosales, Cardinal Vidal and the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines of religious intolerance. Please do not seek cover from the general statement. REP. LAGMAN. No one is sacrosanct and they are amenable to criticism. Not even the President of this Republic is beyond criticism. The President has been criticized inside and outside of this Chamber. I see no reason this Representation and other Members of this House cannot make a critical statement against the hierarchy of the Catholic Church, including our cardinals. REP. GARCIA (P.). That means, in plain and simple terms, the Gentleman is accusing His Eminence Cardinal Rosales, Cardinal Vidal and the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines of religious intolerance. REP. LAGMAN. From the actuations of the hierarchy of the Church, definitely, there is religious intolerance reminiscent of the Dark and Middles Ages. REP. GARCIA (P.). In other words, REP. LAGMAN. I cannot understand why an interchange with respect to the salient features of this bill would include such effort on the part of the distinguished Gentleman from Cebu to make me state that the hierarchy of the Church is engaged in religious intolerance. I think that is a fact and that is my opinion. The distinguished Gentleman might have another opinion, but definitely, I stand pat on my opinion and my statement which are based on facts, irrespective of my relationship with God. REP. GARCIA (P.). In other words, Mr. Speaker, the Gentleman is not only accusing His Eminence, Cardinal Rosales, Cardinal Vidal and the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines of religious intolerance, he is also accusing them of living in the Dark Ages. REP. LAGMAN. That is the import of my statement because we have a history of religious intolerance during the Dark Ages. REP. GARCIA (P.). So the Gentleman is consigning our eminent cardinals, our bishops, to the Dark Ages. REP. LAGMAN. Mr. Speaker, I think my answers are very clear. If the distinguished Gentleman is trying to elicit answers from me as a basis for my excommunication, then, so be it. REP. GARCIA (P.). Earlier, the Gentleman had said that he is a Catholic. REP. LAGMAN. That is correct, Mr. Speaker. I am a Congressman who happens to be a Catholic, but I am not a Catholic Congressman. What is the import of this statement? That means to say that I will not translate religious dogma into public policy or legislation to involve the entire public,

TUESDAY, MAY 24, 2011 the entire country. As I have said, religious dogma should be confined within the church community and religious belief should be between the ecclesiastics and the faithful; but the State has the power to legislate, particularly in the exercise of police power for the welfare of the public and in that process of legislation, the State is definitely ascendant. If there is any conflict between religious dogma and the State policy, the State policy must prevail. REP. GARCIA (P.). The Gentleman is a veteran Congressman. He has been here in Congress for a number of terms and years, and it is a matter of legislative practice that we open and begin our session with a prayer. Does the Gentleman now say that the Almighty God has no place in this Chamber? REP. LAGMAN. I do not say that, Mr. Speaker. As I have said, this country is under God, but it is not under the bishops and lay subalterns. We pray for guidance, but we do not impose on the people religious dogma. In the sphere of legislation, this Congress is independent and this Congress has full authority to legislate. REP. GARCIA (P.). So, when we open our session, when we pray, the Gentleman is saying that that prayer is mere lip service, and that the Almighty God has no business staying here in this Chamber. REP. LAGMAN. The distinguished Gentleman is the one saying that. I never said that any prayer here is just lip service. I acknowledge that this nation is under God. But let me repeat the injunction of no less than Jesus Christ, Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesars and to God, the things that are Gods. REP. GARCIA (P.). Is the Gentleman saying that the legislation that we pass here should not be under God? REP. LAGMAN. I do not say that. Mr. Speaker, I would like to make this statement. If the distinguished Gentleman would pursue his interpellation on the basis of God, then I would desist from answering his questions further. REP. GARCIA (P.). Why? Does the Gentleman feel that God is an irrelevant word or entity in this Chamber? Our Constitution implores the aid of Almighty God. I believe that the Gentleman has taken his oath of office and he signed his oath of office. If he took his oath of officeyes, he took his oath of office before this Bodyat the end of his oath, he said, So help me God. Does the Gentleman believe or does he want us to believe that this statement, So help me God, was merely lip service? REP. LAGMAN. Mr. Speaker, when I took my oath, I mean my oath; when I pray, I mean my prayer. But when I say, I will not anymore answer interpellations based on the Gentlemans premises on God, then I will stick to that from now on. REP. GARCIA (P.). While I respect the position of the Gentleman, it would seem that he is allergic to God. But I insist, and I do not expect him to join me, that all of us except the Gentleman believe in God, and our belief is not situational.

TUESDAY, MAY 24, 2011 In other words, we believe in God everywhere and anywhere, not only in church but in all places because God reigns all over the world now and thereafter. So, I will refrain because I understand that the Gentleman is allergic to God. I will not mention God anymore, Mr. Speaker. REP. LAGMAN. Thank you, but I am not allergic to God, I am allergic to the Gentlemans uncalled-for homily. (Laughter/applause) REP. GARCIA (P.). Every one of us is a servant of God. If the Gentleman chooses, he does not have to listen to me. Whatever we do is in the service of God or Allah, every minute, every moment of our life, not only in church but everywhere and anywhere. I would not bother anymore to ask him about God because God is everywhere. God is not situational. I will move on, Mr. Speaker. In the Gentlemans sponsorship speech, he said we will not allow antediluvian precepts to doom a progressive nation which promotes choice, not apportions or even rewards. Mr. Speaker, these antediluvian precepts that the Gentleman refers to are the precepts of the Catholic Church? REP. LAGMAN. Well, REP. GARCIA (P.). Antediluvian meaning before the flood, so these antediluvian precepts the Gentleman referred to here are the precepts of the Catholic Church? REP. LAGMAN. The precepts which would restrict our couples, our parents, and our women to purely natural and traditional family planning methods are the precepts I referred to as antediluvian. Not necessarily in that strict sense, but in the sense that it is antiquated. I think even the Church should be a living church; it should be able to adapt to changing conditions. The church of Europe and the church of Latin America have adapted to these changing conditions and mores. That is why the church in Europe as well as in Latin America has deferred to the secular state the formulation and implementation of policies on family planning, including contraceptive use. For example, the Constitution of Ireland contains a very similar provision in our Constitution which provides that the State shall equally protect the life of the mother and of the unborn from conception. That is virtually the same constitutional provision in Ireland. But in Ireland, contraceptive use is implemented, contraceptive use is observed. The Catholic Church in Ireland, unlike the Catholic Church in the Philippines, does not quarrel with the State with respect to family planning and contraceptive use because the Church is a living church, and it should be able to adapt to changing times and mores. REP. GARCIA (P.). Mr. Speaker, may I remind the Gentleman that we are not living in Ireland, we are living in the Pearl of the Orient Seas, our beloved Pilipinas. We are living in the Philippines. If we want to practice what he said is being practiced in Ireland, then we better move to Ireland. Why should we submit ourselves to the authority of, I am not sure if that was correctly said, to the Church in Ireland and

13 not to the authority of the Church in the Philippines? We have not yet moved to Ireland, Mr. Speaker. REP. LAGMAN. Mr. Speaker. REP. GARCIA (P.). We are living in our beloved Philippines. REP. LAGMAN. Mr. Speaker, the Catholic religion is not indigenous to the Philippines. We did not invent the Catholic faith in the Philippines. It is a foreign-oriented religion, that is why we invoke analogy in other Catholic countries with respect to positions of the Church, like the position of the Church on family planning and contraceptive use. Unless it is the position of the distinguished Gentleman that Catholicism is innate, is indigenous to the Philippines, then there is no reason analogy to the practice of other countries cannot be pertinent and relevant in this discussion. REP. GARCIA (P.). Mr. Speaker, we have a Catholic Church in the Philippines under Rome, and the Catholic Church in the Philippines is under our religious authorities, our cardinals, and our bishops. Is it my understanding, Mr. Speaker, that the Gentleman, as a Catholic, which he professes to bealthough I do not know whether here or outside because his Catholicism is location-based believes the Catholic Church in Ireland more than the Catholic Church in the Philippines because the Catholic Church in the Philippines has issued, we might say, a teaching against artificial birth control, condoms and others? REP. LAGMAN. Mr. Speaker. REP. GARCIA (P.). This is a free country. REP. LAGMAN. Mr. Speaker, it is the same Roman Catholic Church, the same dogma, the same teachings, whether it is in Ireland, Latin America, Europe including Spain and Italy or in the Philippines. So it is always pertinent to cite the experience of other Catholic countries which are under the same Roman Catholic Church. REP. GARCIA (P.). But we are in the At this juncture, Deputy Speaker Daza relinquished the Chair to Deputy Speaker Lorenzo R. Taada III. REP. LAGMAN. Let me add that even the religious are not in any way unanimous with respect to the position or dogma of the Catholic Church on procreation, family planning and contraceptive use. Let me just cite a few important religious authorities: 1. St. Thomas Aquinas said, and I quote: Reproducing in numbers that outstrip the resources of a nation is immoral and should be prevented by legislators. 2. Fr. Joseph Bouchard, a former General Superior, then international delegate of the Congregation of the Sons

14 of Charity, who lived in the Philippine slums of Tondo and Bagong Silang for 12 years said, and I quote: Our Church, in the area of procreation, weighs down the poorest with chains which worsen their misery. X X X This reality is that the current directives of our church in the area of procreation load the poorest ones of our world with chains which worsen their misery and contribute to increasing the number of human beings living in an inhuman way. 3. And this is my favorite quotation, from Fr. Ruben Tanseco, SJ. The poor are already deprived of so many things, and to deprive them of love-making when they spontaneously feel like doing so is to make their lives even more miserable. 4. Then there is Bishop James Shannon, Archdiocese of St. Paul Minneapolis, and I quote: In my pastoral experience I have found that this rigid teaching is simply impossible of observance by many faithful and generous spouses, and I cannot believe that God binds men to impossible standards. 5. And we have Fr. James Curran, Catholic moral theologian, who said: Since the 1968 adoption of the papal encyclical Humanae Vitae, there has been a hemorrhage in the church credibility. I wonder whether the distinguished Gentleman would categorize these religious men as heretics in expressing opinions contrary to the dogma or teachings of the Catholic hierarchy. REP. GARCIA (P.). Mr. Speaker, the distinguished Sponsor is a lawyer, and what he has been quoting is what we know in law as the dissenting opinion. Decisions of the Supreme Court are not always unanimous, but you have dissenting opinions. Yet, the Gentleman would like his colleagues in this Chamber to abide by and follow the dissenting opinions of some bishops or some priests rather than the authority of the Catholic Church as expressed in the papal encyclicals or by the priests of the Catholic Church. I do not deny that there are dissenting opinions, that is always the case. There is no unanimity, but as long as you profess to be a good Catholic, then as much as possible, because we are human, we must abide by the doctrines and the teachings of the Catholic Church. By citing these few dissenting opinions, the Sponsor is trying to impress to us here in this House that he would rather believe these dissenters rather than the supreme authority of the Catholic Church in the Philippines and the authority of the Catholic Church in Rome. Well, this is a free country... REP. LAGMAN. Mr....

TUESDAY, MAY 24, 2011 REP. GARCIA (P.). ...and so, everybody is entitled to his own entertainment. REP. LAGMAN. Mr. Speaker, in the context of the Philippine setting as well as the history of the encyclical Humanae Vitae, the statements I have quoted are not dissenting opinions. They validate, for example, almost two decades of surveys by Pulse Asia and SWS indicating that the overwhelming majority of the Filipino people favor the enactment of the RH Bill. More Catholics than non-Catholics favor this legislation, including those from the district of the distinguished Gentleman in Cebu. With respect to the Humanae Vitae, again, these decisions are supportive of the majority decision of the Papal Congregation on Contraceptive Use, which was in favor and tolerant of contraception. Unfortunately, the Humanae Vitae was based on the minority decision. It has never been a majority decision because from the very start of its publication, the members of the Papal Commission as well as many bishops and religious theologians refused to give infallibility to the Humanae Vitae. No less than the spokesman of the Vatican at that time said a careful reading of Humanae Vitae shows that it is not infallible. So, what are we talking about? The supreme authority of the Church? Yes, the supreme authority of the Church in the religious community, the supreme authority of the Church with respect to the faithful, but never the supreme authority of the Church over the State because we are a secular state and there is a separation of Church and State. Even granting that the statements I read are so-called dissenting opinions, the distinguished Gentleman has not destroyed the essence, the vigor and the logic of these statements. REP. GARCIA (P.). In other words, the Gentleman would like to impress upon us and even to convince us that in matters of faith and morals, we Catholics should not believe the Pope, we should not believe... REP. LAGMAN. I am not saying that. REP. GARCIA (P.). No, no, please, let me finish. REP. LAGMAN. But I am not saying that. REP. GARCIA (P.). We should not believe Cardinal Vidal... REP. LAGMAN. I think the distinguished Gentleman is attributing to me statements which I have not said. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Taada). Please. REP. GARCIA (P.). Mr. Speaker, do not be agitated. REP. LAGMAN. I cannot allow REP. GARCIA (P.). I am, I am REP. LAGMAN. a prevarication. REP. GARCIA (P.). The Gentleman should observe the rules. I am still talking here to my colleagues in this Chamber...

TUESDAY, MAY 24, 2011 REP. LAGMAN. The Gentlemans conscience... REP. GARCIA (P.). and the Gentleman interrupted me because he is trapped in his own words. REP. LAGMAN. Those are REP. GARCIA (P.). So may I continue, Mr. Speaker? REP. LAGMAN. Those words are unparliamentary and should be stricken off the record, Mr. Speaker. REP. GARCIA (P.). Mr. Speaker, according to the saying, If to eat meat offends my brother, I would not eat meat. So if my words offend my distinguished colleague, and he seems to be agitated right now, then I will withdraw them. I will withdraw them. But then, Mr. Speaker, my question, which was rudely interrupted, was to defend in the light of what the Gentleman just stated. Does the Gentleman mean that the Pope, Cardinal Rosales, Cardinal Vidal, all the Catholic bishops of the Philippines, should not be believed and that we should rather believe his statement... REP. LAGMAN. Mr. Speaker. REP. GARCIA (P.). ...that they are wrong? REP. LAGMAN. Mr. Speaker, I never posited that statement. That is the misconstruction or misinterpretation of the distinguished Gentleman, and I did not rudely interrupt him. I reasonably corrected his question, which was not properly premised. Now, let me just give some relevant statistics with respect to predominantly Catholic countries, many of whom have more Catholics than the Philippines, percentage-wise, or population-wise. In these countries, they have family planning programs, including contraceptive use, which receive public funding: Italy, which is 97 percent Catholic; Poland, which is 94 percent Catholic; Paraguay, 90 percent Catholic; Portugal, 90 percent Catholic; Ecuador, 90 percent Catholic; Argentina, 89 percent Catholic; and Spain, from where we got our Catholic faith, is 88 percent Catholic. In these countries, the population growth rate is much, much lower than the Philippines. The Philippines now has a 2.01 percent population growth rate. In these countries, it hovers between 0.2 percent to 0.4 percent. So, what makes the Filipino Catholics better than the Catholics in these countries, Mr. Speaker? REP. GARCIA (P.). Mr. Speaker, please, we are living in the Philippines. This House is inside Quezon City, which is part of the Philippines and since the Gentleman professes to be a Catholic, then he has to follow the precepts of the Catholic Church in the Philippines, not the Catholic Church in other countries. The Gentleman mentioned other countries but we are living in the Philippines, unless he would repudiate the authority of our priests, our bishops and our precepts of the Church. However, I would say that this is a free country and so, the Gentleman is free to say and to believe what pleases him. But for as long as we live in the Philippines, for as long as we profess to be Catholics, then we must abide by and

15 follow the precepts of the Catholic Church as declared by our Catholic authorities, our bishops, our cardinals. Yes, I would say maybe because I am not very familiar with the churches outside the Philippines but we are living in the Philippines. We are right here in Quezon City under the authority of the diocese in Quezon City. So, if we claim and profess to be good Catholics, then we should abide by and follow the precepts set by our Catholic bishops. The Gentleman mentioned that these contraceptives are very popular. Mr. Speaker, on questions of faith and ignorance, on the question of what is right and what is wrong, this is not a matter of popularity. This is not a popularity contest. The Gentleman will remember that our Lord, Jesus Christ, lost in a popularity contest when Pontius Pilate announced to the crowd, Who would you choose to be crucified, Barabas or Jesus Christ? and he was crucified. Now, by popular choice and by popular demand, the crowd choose Christ to be crucified and Barabas to be spared. The way or the manner the distinguished Majority Leader is followinghe is citing statistics. But what is right and what is wrong is not a matter of statistics, it is not a matter of majority or minority. When you are right, even if you are the only one, you are a majority of what? We are not here dealing with questions of faith and morals, right and wrong. It would seem that the Gentleman is trying to right the wrong by citing conditions or situations in other countries. Just because it is right in other countries does not mean that it is also right in the Philippines. In the Philippines, we know we are right because we are following the Humanae Vitae, we are following the teachings of the Catholic Church in Rome. In matters of faith and morals, the Pope is the supreme authority. He is a majority of one. That is our Catholic Church. That is why, maybe, just maybe, driven by his feelings, yes, his feelings are, we might say, influenced by practices or beliefs in other countries. But, please, we are in the Philippines, in our beloved country the Philippines, and we are in Quezon City. We have a bishop here, we have a cardinal here, in the metro or in Luzon, likewise in the Visayas. The unanimous teaching of the Catholic Church, as represented by our bishops and cardinals, is saying that what the Gentleman is trying to preachthe gospel of the condoms, the contraceptives, the ligation, the sterilizationshould not apply to those who profess the Catholic religion. Of course, this is a free country. Everybody is free to decide what his beliefs are, according to his wishes and according to his likes and personal likes and dislikes. So, I would like to proceed, Mr. Speaker. REP. LAGMAN. Let me first make a rejoinder to some of the statements of the distinguished Gentleman before he proceeds in his peroration. The answer to his question is embedded in his question itself. He says that we are a free country. We are free from the impositions of the Church; we are free from the idiosyncrasies of bishops and cardinals; and this honorable Chamber is not under any Catholic diocese. We legislate out of courage, not out of fear of any reprisal from the Catholic hierarchy. Let me remind the distinguished Gentleman that contraceptives are not prohibited by the Constitution. There is no statute which prohibits the sale, distribution and use of contraceptives which are not abortifacients. Let me

16 underscore and reiterate that the surveys show that the Catholics favor the enactment of this bill and that speaks a lot for this measure. So, Mr. Speaker, I hope that the distinguished Gentleman will now go to the salient features of the bill so that we can have a parliamentary dialogue rather than a religious homily. REP. TINIO. Mr. Speaker. REP. GARCIA (P.). Mr. Speaker, please, with all due respect REP. TINIO. Parliamentary inquiry, Mr. Speaker. REP. GARCIA (P.). With all due respect THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Taada). What is the pleasure of the Gentleman from the Party-List ACT TEACHERS? REP. TINIO. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is not intended to cut short the ongoing interpellation. But I just would like to seek clarification from the Chair regarding Section 90 of our Rules on Time Limit, which says, A Member shall not be allowed to speak for more than one (1) hour in debate on any question. As we know, there is a very long list of interpellators on this very important issue of the RH Bill. I would just like to seek clarification on the application of this rule to the current interpellation? THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Taada). The Sr. Dep. Majority Leader is recognized. REP. GARCIA (P.). May I respond. REP. GARIN (J.). Mr. Speaker, our distinguished colleague is right. In Section 90 on Time Limit, it says: A Member shall not be allowed to speak for more than one (1) hour in debate on any question. No Member shall speak more than once on the same question without leave of the House. With due respect, Mr. Speaker, we believe that our two distinguished colleagues, the Hon. Edcel C. Lagman, as well as the honorable Deputy Speaker Pablo P. Garcia, are fully aware of Section 90. However, in this case, there is a very good exchange of ideas, where most of our Members are very much willing to listen and so, we have tolerated the extension of the time of the Hon. Pablo P. Garcia. With the indulgence of our distinguished colleague, may we, therefore, request that the interpellations be continued. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Taada). Yes, I hope the response of the Sr. Dep. Majority Leader is clear on this issue. There is a pending request from the Sponsor of the bill that the salient matters of the bill now be tackled. We hope that Deputy Speaker Pablo Garcia would heed the request of the Sponsor. REP. TINIO. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

TUESDAY, MAY 24, 2011 REP. GARCIA (P.). Mr. Speaker, please, with all due respect REP. TINIO. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. REP. GARCIA (P.). I believe that mine is not a speech, mine is an interpellation. Under the Rules, my time is not to be counted against me. This is interpellation, and the points covered in the Sponsors speech, if we want a free and full debate, have to be inquired into. They are not to be taken as gospel truth. This is a very important issue, but I think the measure is not even necessary because there is no law prohibiting one from buying and using contraceptives. It may be against religion but there is no law. But why should we institutionalize what is already allowed? If he violates anything, it is a violation of his religion but it is not a violation of the law. It has been said that majority of the Catholics use contraceptives. We have the statistics to prove that. But that is neither here nor there. That is an affair to remember between that Catholic and his Maker. But the law should not intrude into these things, Mr. Speaker. The distinguished Sponsor has covered many points and I believe that he is willing to answer questions from this humble Representation. It is important that this issue be thoroughly discussed. This issue is dividing the country. So, I believe, that there should be some liberality in having this bill debated as freely and as fully as possible. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Taada). Yes. The Speaker would like to remind the Gentleman that the Sr. Dep. Majority Leader has spoken and we are intending to continue the interpellation of the good Gentleman. So, if the good Gentleman would proceed with the questions on the salient portions of the bill, so that the people who are here listening to the debate can actually understand which sections are being questioned, and in order to educate the viewers who are watching right now. REP. GARCIA (P.). Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is a debate and an exchange of views and ideas and so, I would like to proceed. REP. LAGMAN. Mr. Speaker. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Taada). The Gentleman from Albay, the Sponsor, is recognized. REP. LAGMAN. Before the distinguished Gentleman proceeds and takes up additional questions or matters, he raised two salient issues in his previous statements. One is with respect to the availability of contraceptives and there is no need to legislate this bill; and the other is that there is no need to institutionalize a comprehensive and nationwide policy on reproductive health, responsible parenthood and population and development. REP. GARCA (P.). Mr. Speaker. REP. LAGMAN. May I be allowed to answer those concerns.

TUESDAY, MAY 24, 2011 THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Taada). The Sponsor will please proceed. REP. LAGMAN. Availability of family planning methods and contraceptives which are not banned is not equivalent to accessaccess, more particularly, by the poor and marginalized sectors. Contraceptives like condoms, pills, IUDs and injectables may be available in physicians clinics or in drug stores. But how many of those in the poorest two quintiles would have the capacity to access the necessary information and products? That is why, and the data would show, the contraceptive prevalence rate in the country of any method is only 50.7 percent, meaning, half of those who would need information and products do not have access. Out of this 50.7 percent, 34 percent would use modern methods and only 16.7 percent would use the natural and traditional methods. Why is there an unmet need for family planning despite the availability of contraceptives in the market? Unmet need is 22.3 percent, up from a previous 17.3 percent, and unmet need for the two lowest economic quintiles is 51 percent. Verily, these statistics would show that there is a need for legislation so that we could have a massive information campaign on the import of family planning methods as well as the various methodsfrom the natural to the modern. Once we have acceptors of either the natural or the modern methods, the State will be there to give them access to information as well as reproductive health products. Now, why is there a need to institutionalize responsible parenthood, reproductive health and population and development? We need this policy to be institutionalized because in the past, we have not been consistent in pursuing a national policy on reproductive health and family planning. Pasulpot-sulpot po lamang ang ating mga polisiya hinggil dito sa reproductive health and family planning. There needs to be consistency and this major policy should not depend on the changing idiosyncrasies and preferences of leaders of the administration as well as those in local government units. We cannot possibly devolve this policy to local government units because there is a number of reasons which would mitigate against such devolution. One, local government units would need guidance from the national government, and this guidance will be this national and comprehensive policy on reproductive health. Local government units do not have the requisite expertise and funding for the full implementation of reproductive health policy and local government units are subject to the varying dispositions of local executives. The classic example is the case of the City of Manila under the former Mayor Lito Atienza and Quezon City, wherein there is a varying approach to family planning and contraceptive use. Finally, local government executives are more susceptible to pressures that will be brought upon them by pressure groups or interest groups compared to the national government. There is a need to institutionalize this policy because there is definitely an empirical linkage between population, development and poverty. No less than the late renowned Filipino Rafael Salas, the first and long-serving Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund, said that no development agenda is likely to succeed without addressing simultaneously the problem of population. I think this is an altruism which no religious dogma can possibly

17 rebut. I am ready to listen to the subsequent questions of the distinguished Gentleman. REP. GARCIA (P.). Mr. Speaker, I would just like to raise further the fact that this need for artificial birth control method and substances is a need created by US imperialism. I know that the distinguished Sponsor has been espousing causes against the so-called US or American imperialism. This need was just created. This is not what we need in the Philippines. I have here from the Department of Health the major causes of mortality in the Philippines: diseases of the heart; diseases of the vascular system; malignant neoplasm; pneumonia; accidents; tuberculosis; chronic lower respiratory diseases; and diabetes mellitus. Nowhere does it say that birth is a major cause of mortality. This need is being created by big businesses. We are to spend millions in order to serve the business interests of foreign countries, notably, those from the United States. This is US imperialism in disguise. Mr. Speaker, I know that the distinguished Sponsor has been espousing causes against US imperialism and even those organizations supposed to be campaigning for the passage of this RH Bill have, in the past, demonstrated against US imperialism. This is one form of US imperialism. According to the Kissinger Reportwhich was classified for so many years but was eventually declassified because, after a certain number of years, certain reports have to be declassifiedthere are certain countries in the world where American interests would be served if their population growth is limited, and the Philippines is one of them. That is the very reason the US government is spending millions and millions of dollars in order to promote the sale of IUDs and other contraceptive devices. The USAID, for more than 30 years, has been spending at least three million dollars a year to promote contraceptives. This is not what we want. The poor in our country do not need contraceptives. They need food, clothing, shelter the various necessities of life and if you may add, education for their children. They do not need condoms, they do not need IUDs, because it has also been shown, it has been proven thateven in the Philippinesfamilies with four or five or even more children are better off than those that have only two because there are more working for the family. It is not only the USAID but also other US institutions that contribute millions of dollars to promote contraceptives, IUDs and other devices. So, I would suggest that the distinguished Sponsors read the Kissinger Report, and they will know, to their shock, that this is part of the overall world strategy of the United States. We are quick to march and chant, Down with US imperialism, yet this is exactly one of their actions. Why does the USAIDand not only the USAID but also other organizations, the UN Development Fund, and all thatspend millions of dollars here in this country? We have more appropriations for birth control than for medicines and other services, or for the more serious diseases in this country. We do not have enough resources in our country to meet our needs, but we have millions and millionsbillionsof pesos to promote these American products. Mr. Speaker, I have here some facts and figures about the volume of business that

18 these companies are making in the Philippines. Their number one customer is the government of the Philippines, which appropriated, last time, more than three billion pesos for contraceptives and other devices for birth control. That is why, Mr. Speaker, it is important that we see through all of these practices. I have here an article of the former executive of the THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Taada). With all due respect to the Gentleman from Cebu, the Chair is awaiting a question so that the Sponsor can respond. REP. GARCIA (P.). Mr. Speaker, without any question the Sponsor made a long dissertation and I believe that this Representation is also, I think, deserving of the right to make a response. Now, I have mentioned that the USAID spent hundreds of millions of dollarstranslated into billions of pesosin order to promote the sale of these contraceptive devices and drugs and other equipment. Mr. Speaker, we also know that the World Bankwhich body, as we all know, is controlled by the Americansis also promoting the sale of these contraceptive drugs and devices by giving millions of pesos in aid to countries like the Philippines. Is the distinguished Sponsor aware of that? THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Taada). Is that the question from the Gentleman from Cebu? REP. GARCIA (P.). Yes, that is the question. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Taada). Is the Sponsor aware of the funding coming from the World Bank? REP. GARCIA (P.). Yes. REP. LAGMAN. Mr. Speaker, the World Bank funds development programs, particularly in developing countries like the Philippines and any funding for reproductive health is connected to the agenda of development because, as we have said, there is empirical linkage between population, development and poverty. So, I am aware of that and it is consistent with the development agenda of the country as well as the World Bank. But the distinguished Gentleman, Mr. Speaker, covered a number of points which we will have to respond to. He said that there are diseases more morbid and fatal than pregnancy but he failed to tell this august Body that these diseases are also complications from pregnancy and childhood. These maternal morbidities are related to these diseases which the distinguished Gentleman mentioned like pneumonia, diarrhea, hypertension, TB, and the rest. But, Mr. Speaker, we do not fail to address these other diseases even as we address maternal mortality and morbidity. There is funding for these diseases and we also require funding for maternal morbidity and mortality. Let me say that pregnancy is not a disease. However, despite the fact that pregnancy is not a disease, 11 mothers die daily because of complications arising from pregnancy and childbirth. That is why the United Nations (UN) has included in the model of drug formulary the contraceptives we have mentioned. All these contraceptives in the Philippines are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) pursuant to our law.

TUESDAY, MAY 24, 2011 The distinguished Gentleman said that in the previous year, three billion pesos was appropriated for contraceptives. May I know what is the documentation of the distinguished Gentleman. From where did he get this figure? Because I am certain that no amount of three billion pesos was appropriated for contraceptives during the last and previous Congresses. That is definitely untrue and inaccurate. Now, let me go to the alleged US imperialism as culled from the Kissinger formula, which is a flawed propaganda template for RH objectors. I will be the first one to reject reproductive health and family planning if it is an American imperialism agenda. It is not, Mr. Speaker. I have read several times and dissected the Kissinger report or Kissinger formula. This is consistent with empirical studies on the nexus between population, poverty and development. What is imperialistic about the proposition that world population growth since World War II is quantitatively and qualitatively different from any previous epoch in human history? There is a sharp differentiation between rich and poor countries. Since 1950, population in the former group has been growing at 0 to 1.5 percent a year while in the latter, it is 2 to 3.5 percent. What is imperialistic about that? That is a truism. That is based on actual data. Now, this program on reproductive health and family planning is not pursued by the United States singly. It is pursued by the UN and a group of nations, and many of them are donor countries. What is imperialistic about the statement that there will be serious problems for some of the poorest, least developed countries with rapid population growth? Again, this is a truism. What is imperialistic about the statement that high birth rates appear to stem principally from (a) inadequate information about and availability of means to fertility control, (b) inadequate motivation for the reduced number of children combined with motivation for many children, resulting in high infant and child mortality and the need for support in old age, and (c) the slowness of change in family preferences in response to changes in government? What is imperialistic about the interrelationships between development and population growth which are complex and not fully understood? This program is pursued consistent with the World Population Plan of Action adopted at the World Population Conference and recommends a number of programs to (a) improve health care and nutrition to reduce child mortality, (b) promote education and improve social status for women, (c) increase female employment, (d) improve old age security, and (e) provide assistance for the rural poor who generally have the highest fertility. These are not imperialistic dictums. These are realities which we have to confront. The World Population Plan of Action categorically says that there should be central and active involvement of local or domestic governments or countries. So, at the forefront should be the country itself in order to promote development and moderation of population growth. The distinguished Gentleman would harp on key countries selected not by the US, but by the World Population Plan of Action, with the active involvement of the US because there are key relationships between the US and these countries, or special US political and strategic interests like India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nigeria, Mexico, Indonesia, Brazil, the Philippines, Thailand, Egypt, Turkey, Ethiopia and Columbia. But definitely, this is not in pursuit of imperialism. This is in pursuit of a development agenda because inordinate

TUESDAY, MAY 24, 2011 population impacts adversely on all human development indicators like health, education, food security, employment, mass housing and even the ecology. So, there is completely nothing imperialistic about this Kissinger Report if one will read it with an open and impartial mind within the agenda on population issues in relation to sustainable human development. REP. GARCIA (P.). Mr. Speaker, I would not blame, I would even sympathize with the distinguished Sponsor for now actively campaigning for a plan or strategy which, in the past, he would denounce as US imperialism. I would give credit to the promoters of this bill from outside for their subtlety and cunning in convincing those who are opposed to American imperialistic policies, who are now the very ones espousing these imperialistic policies. I can excuse the distinguished Sponsor because he has not read the Kissinger Report. But here is the summary written by Brian Clowes PhD, analyzing the Kissinger Report, entitled: Summary of National Security Study Memorandum 200 (NSSM-200). The following outline shows the elements of this plan, and I quote: 1. The United States needs widespread access to the mineral resources of less developed nations including the Philippines. 2. The smooth flow of resources to the United States could be jeopardized by LDC (Less Developed Countries) governments, and that includes the Philippines, government actions, labor conflicts, sabotage or civil disturbance which are much more likely a population pressure as a factor. 3. Young population is also much more likely to challenge imperialism and the worlds power structures so their number should be kept down if possible. Another part of the overall strategy is to limit births in these countries identified, about 11 or 13, and one of them is the Philippines. Limiting births so that there will be few young people marching on the streets down with American imperialism. See, how we are playing into the strategy of these people. Another: Recognizing that no country has ever controlled the population growth without recourse to legal abortion, design programs with financial incentives for countries to increase their abortions, sterilization and contraceptive rates. The USAID is spending hundreds of billions of pesos. Imagine, three million dollars a year for 38 years to be spent for the purchase of contraceptives, condoms and the rest. Still another: Concentrating on indoctrinating the children of less developed countries with anti-natalist propaganda.

19 So, now these elements are infiltrating the Department of Education in order to teach the children these antipopulation policies. This is part of the overall strategy, the global strategy. Every nation in the world, including the Philippines, would act on its own self-interest, that is in our Constitution. Does the Gentleman really think that the American government will spend hundreds of billions of pesos in order to promote birth control in the Philippines? Is that only for the love of the Filipinos? At a time after the war when the Philippines was devastated and levelled to the ground, how much aid was given to the Philippines? A pittance, compared to the aid that Americans were giving to Japan, Germany and other countries. Let us not be like people born only yesterday. Let us look at world history. Does the Gentleman not think that the millions of dollars will not be poured into the country for the purchase of these contraceptive devices if they will not be to their interest? That is why it is sad to see that the people who were marching on the streets and waving placards bearing Down with American imperialism! are now the ones preaching the gospel of birth control in order to serve the interests of the American drug companies and their own political interests. I know that the distinguished Gentleman is a nationalist. He loves our country. He wants to protect the Filipino people but I regret, I am saddened by the thought that at this time, our distinguished Gentleman is serving the interest of American drug companies, the interest of Americans. REP. LAGMAN. Can I now respond, Mr. Speaker? REP. GARCIA (P.). May I continue. Here, we are familiar THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Taada). The Chair will allow a response after the Gentleman from Cebu winds up. I would like to remind both Gentlemen to try to limit their commentaries and, again, go back to the main issuethe bill and what particular sections have to be debated on, so that everybody can listen and intellectually understand the objectionable portions of the bill. REP. GARCIA (P.). Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am focusing on our fortune, our hard-earned money amounting to billions of pesos, which will be spent in order to serve the interests of foreign drug companies and the interests of governments than ours, at the expense of the Philippines. Right now, people are beginning to rethink their ideas about population. In Singapore, they are promoting birth, even illegitimate birth. In other countries, they are paying mothers or the parents so that they will deliver more children. Why have we, in the Philippines, in spite of the crisis going around in this world now, managed to survive? It is because of our overseas workers, young workers earning billions of dollars, who we call our heroes, sending to the Philippines billions of dollars. Does the Gentleman think we can have this if, before they were born or before the time of their birth, we were already aggressively campaigning for birth control? According to the original version of this bill, we are limited to two. I know that there was some effort exerted to delete that portion. So, Mr. Speaker, let us seriously think things over very, very carefully. We might be playing into the

20 hands of other interestspeople who are not interested in our countrys welfare but their own. I am saddened by the fact that those elements of our society who used to march on the streets saying Down with American imperialism are now being used. We have here this agency, this Philippine office what was its name?on population holding office here in Congress and it is one of the recipients, and along with other labor organizations, they are promoting this birth control. REP. LAGMAN. Mr. Speaker, can I now answer? THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Taada). Will the Gentleman from Cebu allow the Gentleman from Albay to answer after delivering a long response to his rejoinder? Please proceed. REP. LAGMAN. Mr. Speaker, I have long wanted to discuss the salient features of the bill with the distinguished Gentleman, but I am only able to respond to his peroration about God and imperialism. It is really pathetic how the Kissinger Report could be misconstrued. What is imperialistic about helping less developed countries surmount problems arising from inordinate population growth rate? That is definitely a laudable advocacy by well-off countries. Mr. Speaker, I was reading excerpts from the Kissinger Report while the good Gentleman was reading from a biased anthology of the Kissinger Report written by Brian Clowes, who is from Human Life International, an American- based Roman Catholic pro-life organization. Brian Clowes is an anti-RH propagandist in a virtual cloud, Mr. Speaker. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Taada). Yes, could the Gentleman from Cebu proceed with his questioning? REP. GARCIA (P.). Oh yes. I was referring to the Philippine Legislators Committee on Population and Development Foundation Incorporated, the PLCPD. Would the distinguished Sponsor perhaps know or is he associated with this PLCPD? I recall that it is holding office in Congress. REP. LAGMAN. Mr. Speaker, as the name suggests, it is a legislators committee for population and development. I am aware of this organization. I am a member of this organization, and I am currently the Chairman of this organization for the House of Representatives, and the Chairman for the Senate is Senator Escudero. The previous Chairman was a colleague of the distinguished Gentleman from Cebu, the Hon. Nerissa Soon-Ruiz. It has a definite advocacy, and many Members of the House are members of this committee, and distinguished Members of the House before were members of this committee. So, it is completely aboveboard, and we find no reason to disassociate ourselves from this organization, the PLCPD. REP. GARCIA (P.). If the Gentleman is through, may I continue? REP. LAGMAN. Yes. REP. GARCIA (P.). Now that the Gentleman has admitted that he is an officer and active member of the PLCPD, the Gentleman will perhaps admit that the funding for the

TUESDAY, MAY 24, 2011 activities of this organization is being supplied by foreign institutions. Since he is an officer, he should know. REP. LAGMAN. Yes, Mr. Speaker, that is true, and it is for a good cause, for population and development. Other NGOs in the Philippines are likewise funded by foreign entities. including the Haribon Foundation, among others. There is nothing wrong about them, Mr. Speaker. If there is a good cause, then funding from these entities will be most welcome, and the cause here is population and development. There is a strong nexus between population and development and that agenda should be pursued. We would encourage other Members of the House to join the PLCPD, as other Members before have joined the PLCPD. REP. GARCIA (P.). Do I take it, therefore, that the Gentleman is promoting or even working, advocating the cause of this organization which is being funded by foreign sources? REP. LAGMAN. Mr. Speaker, as long as the crusade, the agenda is for population and development and it is a noble advocacy, then we welcome donations without any strings attached, Mr. Speaker. There is nothing wrong about the funding being received by the PLCPD. There is complete transparency in its utilization, Mr. Speaker. I would like to appeal to the Deputy Speaker that we are not here discussing a bill by the PLCPD. We are here discussing a measure on responsible parenthood, reproductive health and population and development REP. GARCIA (P.). If the Gentleman finds it difficult for him to be discussing his affairs or his involvement in a foreign-funded organization, he would say so. He should refrain from answering questions about his involvement in an organization funded by foreign organizations that have agendas of their own, for example, in order to limit or curtail the population growth of certain underdeveloped countries. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Taada). The Chair would like to remind the Gentleman from Cebu, I think the Gentleman from Albay has answered the question. He has been very transparent with regard to the PLCPD. He has stated that he is the Chairman and that some Members of the House are members of the said organization. So I think that question has been exhausted and we can move forward to the next question. REP. LAGMAN. Mr. Speaker. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Taada). Yes. REP. LAGMAN. I would like to add that the Philippines is a recipient, a grantee or a debtor of funds coming from foreign sources. Are we to reject this foreign assistance because they have the marks of imperialism or American interests or ulterior motives on the part of the donor/creditor countries? Definitely, that is a cross-eyed assessment of foreign investment and foreign assistance to the country, which we welcome. However, we should be selective and we should be able to use or utilize this foreign assistance for the development of the country, and that is precisely what the PLCPD is doing. It is using foreign assistance to advance its advocacy for population and development.

TUESDAY, MAY 24, 2011 REP. GARCIA (P.). I beg to disagree. We are not to accept funding donations from countries that have ulterior motives against the interests of the Philippines, no matter how attractive that funding may be. Under the Constitution, the basic or the fundamental principle of our foreign policy and, foreign relations is that it should put Philippine interests first and foremost. We know that foreign governments are investing and spending millions of dollars in other countries not so much to serve the interests of those countries but to serve their own. Foreign countries help poor countries build roads and bridges in order that they can sell cars. We know this. We were not born yesterday. So we should be very careful about these Greeks bearing gifts, so to speak. I am saddened by the fact that some of our very, or apparently nationalistic organizations are being inveigled into serving the interests of foreign countries. Why should a government spend millions, hundred of millions, if it not to serve its own interests? Why should America spend hundreds of billions in order to aid one country? It will serve American interests, and we do not have to blame America for that. That is always the basic policy of every country, including the Philippines. Mr. Speaker, I am rather saddened by the fact that in this instance, through the designs or interests of foreign countries in promoting the cause, we have seen a cause which is even destructive of Filipino morals and dangerous to the health of the Filipinos. I have here the report that these contraceptives are carcinogenic. There is even one from the World Health Organization which, perhaps, the distinguished Sponsor already knows because in one of the talk shows, a former Secretary of Health admitted that some of these contraceptives are carcinogenic. We were not born yesterday. We know the desires of other countries and we do not begrudge them. We want to serve our own interests, Filipino interests, yes, but they also have their own interests. However, when our interest conflicts with theirs, we cannot expect that they will serve the Filipino interest instead of their own. It is sad, really, Mr. Speaker, that in this particular issue, we are playing into the hands of these multi-nationals at the expense not only of Filipino values, but even Filipino economic interests and even the health of Filipinos. It is really sad, Mr. Speaker. I have here a report of the PLCPD where the distinguished Sponsor who is one of the authors of the bill is a ranking officer, and it says here how these organizations operate in the Philippines and what organizations they have infiltrated. These cause-oriented groups, labor unions, are being used in order to promote the advocacy of this organization. I have here a list. That is why we are talking about this, Mr. Speaker, because this is a bill which affects all Filipinostheir values, their morals, their health and their economic interests. I believe that this bill should be debated upon thoroughly, and the motives of those who are behind this bill, whose passage we are opposing, be exposed. So I beg the indulgence of this House. I have here materials to prove that this measure will ostensibly, on the surface, serve the interest but not the best interest of a sector of our society because it would be detrimental not only to the health, to the morals, but also to the moral values of the Filipino. I have here volumes of documents to prove that and to inform our people of the truth because, as we say, the truth shall make us free. I have studied these things and I have

21 seen the real motives, the purpose. I have seen the dollar sign here, at the expense not only of our moral values, but also of our, we might say, general welfare, the welfare of the Filipino. They say that the Philippines, in spite of the crisis, survived it, and is not only surviving but progressing. Why? Is it because of our natural resources? No. It is because of our human resources. Our OFWs contribute $18 to $20 billion a year to our country. We can afford to export our Filipino workers abroad because we are many. This bill will depopulate the Philippines. I have more questions to ask and I seek the indulgence of the leadership of this House because this matters must be known to our people. This affects their future, not only their moral values, but the future of our people as well. That is why, although I do not want to impose on the patience of my colleagues, I have more questions to ask, questions that need answers, questions that will reveal, expose the real motivation for the insistence of certain groups on the passage of this bill. The House did not pass this bill three times, in the Twelfth, Thirteenth and Fourteenth Congresses. Now, maybe, they are saying, better luck next time, but God forbid that this bill will ever pass. Mr. Speaker, I do not want to impose on the patience of my colleagues, but I hope that I can be forgiven for my advocacy because this is a bill which affects not only the Filipinos today but the future Filipinos. REP. LAGMAN. Mr. Speaker. REP. GARCIA (P.). So, Mr. Speaker, I am willing to suspend my THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Taada). Let us allow the Gentleman from Albay to respond. He has been waiting to respond. REP. LAGMAN. Very briefly, Mr. Speaker. The distinguished Gentleman from Cebu has repeatedly said that he has been saddened by my answers and position. I am waiting for his teardrops to come to authenticate his sincerity. The distinguished Gentleman was not born yesterday, he is a veteran politician, and he knows that countries are driven by their respective self-interests. That is a given. In geometry, that is the easiest answer given. But we should be able to take advantage of the proffered benevolence of these countries for our own interest, and that is why we accept and we even negotiate for foreign loans and grants. Mr. Speaker, we are aware of the benefits of exporting our manpower or labor migration, but we should counterbalance the terrific social costs of labor migration. But that is a completely different story which we could debate on at another time. We are debating on the Reproductive Health Bill, Mr. Speaker. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Taada). Yes, thank you, the Gentleman from Albay and Gentleman from Cebu. If they want to stay until midnight, I am ready to stay here for so long in order to give more information to the public with regard to the importance of this debate. But I will yield to the Sr. Dep. Majority Leader right now. The Sr. Dep. Majority Leader is recognized.

22 SUSPENSION OF CONSIDERATION OF H.B. NO. 4244 REP. GARIN (J.). Mr. Speaker, I do agree with the Chair, having heard from two colleagues who have the wisdom and the institutional knowledge. However, it is sad that the capacity of our neurons can only absorb so much. I therefore move that we suspend the consideration on House Bill No. 4244. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Taada). Is there any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the motion is hereby approved. The Sr. Dep. Majority Leader is recognized. REP. GARIN (J.). Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I now move that we proceed to the Additional Reference of Business. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Taada). Is there any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the motion is hereby approved. The Secretary General will please read the Additional Reference of Business. ADDITIONAL REFERENCE OF BUSINESS The Secretary General read the following House Bill on First Reading, and the Deputy Speaker made the corresponding reference: BILL ON FIRST READING House Bill No. 4728, entitled: AN ACT CREATING THE PROVINCE OF NUEVA CAMARINES By Representative Fuentebella TO THE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Taada). The Sr. Dep. Majority Leader is recognized. REP. GARIN (J.). Mr. Speaker, I move that we take up matters for Second Reading. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Taada). Is there any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the motion is approved. CONSIDERATION OF H.B. NO. 4691 ON SECOND READING PERIOD OF SPONSORSHIP AND DEBATE REP. GARIN (J.). Mr. Speaker, I move that we consider House Bill No. 4691, under Committee Report No. 940, as reported out by the Committee on Basic Education and Culture. May I ask the Secretary General to read only the title of the measure.
* See MEASURES CONSIDERED (printed separately)

TUESDAY, MAY 24, 2011 THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Taada). Is there any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the motion is approved.* 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. 4691, entitled: AN ACT CONVERTING THE BALATONG ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN BARANGAY BALATONG, CITY OF LAOAG, PROVINCE OF ILOCOS NORTE INTO AN INTEGRATED SCHOOL TO BE KNOWN AS BALATONG INTEGRATED SCHOOL AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Taada). The Sr. Dep. Majority Leader is recognized. REP. GARIN (J.). Mr. Speaker, I move that the Explanatory Note be considered as the sponsorship speech on the measure. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Taada). Is there any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the motion is approved. The Sr. Dep. Majority Leader is recognized. REP. GARIN (J.). Mr. Speaker, there being no Member who has signified his intention to ask questions, I move that we close the period of sponsorship and debate. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Taada). Is there any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the motion is approved. The Sr. Dep. Majority Leader is recognized. REP. GARIN (J.). Mr. Speaker, I now move that we open the period of amendments. However, there being no committee or individual amendments, I move that we close the same. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Taada). Is there any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the motion is approved. The Sr. Dep. Majority Leader is recognized. REP. GARIN (J.). Mr. Speaker, I now move that we approve House Bill No. 4691 on Second Reading. VIVA VOCE VOTING THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Taada). As many as are in favor of approving House Bill No. 4691, please say aye. SEVERAL MEMBERS. Aye. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Taada). As many as are against, please say nay. FEW MEMBERS. Nay.

TUESDAY, MAY 24, 2011 APPROVAL OF H.B. NO. 4691 ON SECOND READING THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Taada). The ayes have it; the motion is approved. House Bill No. 4691 is approved on Second Reading. The Sr. Dep. Majority Leader is recognized. CONSIDERATION OF H.B. NO. 4668 ON SECOND READING PERIOD OF SPONSORSHIP AND DEBATE REP. GARIN (J.). Mr. Speaker, I move that we consider House Bill No. 4668, under Committee Report No. 919, as reported out by the Committee on Legislative Franchises. May I ask the Secretary General 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.* 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. 4668, entitled: AN ACT GRANTING THE CULTURAL FOUNDATION OF DAVAO DEL SUR INCORPORATED (CFDI) A FRANCHISE TO CONSTRUCT, INSTALL, ESTABLISH, OPERATE AND MAINTAIN RADIO AND TELEVISION BROADCASTING STATIONS IN DAVAO DEL SUR. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Taada). The Sr. Dep. Majority Leader is recognized. REP. GARIN (J.). Mr. Speaker, I move that the Explanatory Note be considered as the sponsorship speech on the measure. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Taada). Is there any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the motion is approved. The Sr. Dep. Majority Leader is recognized. REP. GARIN (J.). Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We have 116 Members to interpellate the Sponsor of said measure. However, they all backed out because of the very good representation of the distinguished Sponsor. I therefore move that we close the period of sponsorship and debate. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Taada). Is there any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the motion is approved.
* See MEASURES CONSIDERED (printed separately)

23 REP. GARIN (J.). Mr. Speaker, I move that we open the period of amendments. However, there being no committee or individual amendments, though we welcome Members of this House, if they would like to introduce any individual amendment. However, there being none, I move that we close the period of amendments. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Taada). Is there any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the motion is approved. The Sr. Dep. Majority Leader is recognized. REP. GARIN (J.). Mr. Speaker, I move that we approve House Bill No. 4668 on Second Reading. VIVA VOCE VOTING THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Taada). As many as are in favor of approving House Bill No. 4668 on Second Reading, please say aye. SEVERAL MEMBERS. Aye. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Taada). As many as are against, please say nay. FEW MEMBERS. Nay. APPROVAL OF H.B. NO. 4668 ON SECOND READING THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Taada). The ayes have it; the motion is approved. House Bill No. 4668 is approved on Second Reading. The Sr. Dep. Majority Leader is recognized. REP. GARIN (J.). Thank you, Mr. Speaker. May I just inquire if, indeed, there is nobody who will object to the approval of Committee Report No. 919? THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Taada). Is there any objection to the approval of Committee Report No. 919? SUSPENSION OF SESSION REP. GARIN (J.). Mr. Speaker, I move that we suspend the session until four oclock tomorrow afternoon. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Taada). The session is suspended until four oclock, Wednesday, May 25, 2011. It was 7:13 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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