Senate defers debates on RH bill
Senate defers debates on RH bill
By Christina Mendez (The Philippine Star) Updated October 13, 2011 12:00 AM
MANILA, Philippines – Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile disclosed yesterday that debates on the Reproductive Health (RH) bill will have to be deferred since the senators would focus on the plenary debates of the proposed 2012 budget when the Senate resumes session after a month-long break next month.
Enrile said the Senate will ensure that the P1.816-trillion national budget for 2012 would be endorsed to President Aquino by yearend.
The House of Representative had endorsed the 2012 General Appropriations Act under House Bill 5023 yesterday afternoon.
Congress starts a month-long break today and will return on Nov. 14.
“There is no more time (to tackle the RH bill), we will tackle that when we come back because there are many questions that have to be clarified… it’s not because we want to delay the RH bill but on the other hand, even if I am chastised I’ll have to be very careful,” Enrile explained.
Enrile said the Senate would likely tackle the RH bill next year.
“When we open in January, we have all the time to discuss the RH bill. Even in the House, I understand, there are so many members of the House waiting to interpellate. I know my son is listed. I think he is number 41 among the people who enlisted themselves to interpellate on that bill,” he said.
Enrile said the Senate will continue the debates on the proposed Charter change.
He said that the responsibility to amend the Constitution is delegated by the people to Congress.
“No one else. Not the judiciary, though they interpret the present Constitution and the laws. Not the executive. The executive cannot even veto the resolutions that we will pass if we have the necessary votes required by the Constitution. Whether you call it a constituent assembly or a bicameral assembly, it doesn’t matter for as long as the power exists,” Enrile said.
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