MikeLigalig.com

Senator Pia Cayetano is determined to push through with more public hearings this year on the controversial Reproductive Health (RH) Bill even if the measure doesn't figure in the priority legislative agenda of the current Senate leadership.

Cayetano, a Senate minority bloc member, is chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography that oversees public deliberations on Senate Bill No. 2378, the Senate version of the RH Bill which is authored by Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago.

"There is a legislative process that must be observed and as Chair of the primary committee that is hearing the RH Bill, it is my duty to take the proposed measure through said process, whether or not it falls under the priorities of the current Senate majority," she stressed.

Cayetano’s committee has already conducted initial public hearing last October where resource persons from the so-called 'Pro-life' and 'Pro-choice' groups were invited, as well as experts from the medical community, women's groups and key government agencies.

"There are many components of the RH Bill, including the urgency to address the country's high maternal death rate and the need to lay down a national policy on family planning," she added. "The inputs of all stakeholders will be heard during said hearings." - pna