Cayetano: RH bill passage depends on final form of bill

Senate minority leader Alan Peter Cayetano said the passage of the controversial Reproductive Health (RH) bill ultimately depends on the final form of the bill.

"I do believe that there has to be information about this. I do believe that a woman should have available medical options, not abortion, available to her. Its passage really depends on the final form of the bill," he said.

The senator pointed out that many senators recognize the need for this law. However, the question lies in whether or not they find some provisions objectionable.

"I think a majority of the senators agree that there is a need for this bill. Whether you call it a Responsible Parenthood bill or RH bill or by any other name, there are things needed by our people that are found in the bill, from education to the medical attention...it's just a question of what the final form of the bill will be," he said.

The minority leader explained that he himself wishes to have a conscientious objection clause included and clarified in the bill.

"For example in school, if you as a parent wish to have your child exempted from lessons dealing with RH what program does the school have for your child as an alternative? And as a doctor, if you are Catholic and are not amenable to performing certain operations or treatments, what can you do?" he said.

Cayetano also expressed his confidence that the President is doing his best in finding a middle ground for the RH bill, making it acceptable not only by language, concepts and principles that will bring people who are at opposite sides of the issue together.