So it had come to pass that last Sept. 30, Tuesday at 4pm, I went to Congress to show support for the Reproductive Health Bill (HB5043). And I must say, it was a very good day. I was really glad to see that our side (the PRO RH Bill side) filled Congress galleries to the rafters. It looked like we were thousand folks more or less on our side of the galleries. People from all walks of life were there, all dressed in Filipiniana or in purple. Urban poor, urban rich, young, old, men, women, gay, straight all showed up to make it known that the RH Bill's time has finally come.And as for the opposing side, their contingent was rather sparse and lifeless. The ANTI RH Bill section was half empty in their upper galleries, occupied mostly tired looking ladies in blue and white SM Shoemart salesgirl uniforms from some League of Catholic Something or the other. The PRO RH side was definitely more diverse, energetic, and passionate about the issue.
Unfortunately though, and unsurprisingly, some FREAKSHOW named Rep. Del Mar from CEBU kept "suspending" the session because of a technicality. He cited that the PRO RH people's use of a powerpoint presentation was an "underhanded" tactic to undermine the process or something like that. All in all, because of this freaks' whining and grandstanding, nothing was discussed and the debates were moved to Thursday October 3 or after Nov. 10. Golly gee, Mr. Del Mar, thanks for wasting taxpayer's time and money. And why so afraid of us? You afraid that your theocratic nonsense can't stand up to logic and scientific fact? Yo, Cebuanos, Be smart. Don't vote for this idiot in the next elections, eh?
But anyhoo, I said that it was a good day because it's now it has become obvious that our side now has the numbers (in the galleries, the Pulse Asia polls, in Congress) and the opposing side has now become so desperate that they are resorting to delay tactics to avoid losing the game (which I feel they will). And on my "I SUPPORT THE REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH BILL" facebook page, even important folks like Lea Salonga, Joanne Andrada, Manny Castaneda, John Silva, Ria Tanjuatco Trillo, and Jim Libiran, have joined the ranks of Cherie Gil, Lisa Macuja, and Pat Evangelista when it comes to supporting this issue. Even the Management Association of the Philippines and Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry had come out in support of RH 5043.
But let's not pop open the champagne. It has not been passed into law yet. And who knows what might be done between now and then to undermine our momentum. After all, it's more than apparent that the other side does not like playing fair, and they have enough funds to buy full page ads of disinformation and innuendo. We MUST stay on track and keep this PRO RH momentum going till it's finally passed in the next session. Now is NOT the time to slack. Stay tuned...
Their side (note the empty seats up front and upper galleries).
Our side. Packed all the way to top floor.Oh, and if you are looking for other folks NOT TO VOTE for in the next elections. DO NOT vote for Liwayway Chato, Roilo Golez, Rufus Rodriguez, Rene Velarde, Amado Bagatsing, Roman Romulo, Adam Relson, Erbie Fabian, Eduardo Zialcita, Annie Susano et al. These are scary folks who are all supporting the CFC's pursuit to spread lies and untruths about reproductive health and let their religion supercede all forms of logic.
Can anyone add more congressmen who should be added to the list?
