Press Release
May 3, 2009

MIRIAM DEFENDS RH BILL ON SENATE FLOOR

Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago stood in the Senate floor in support of the controversial Reproductive Health Bill, saying that the proposed law is consistent with current international legal human rights standards and upholds religious freedom.

"The bill adheres to international human rights standards by providing that reproductive health care is part of the right to health. The proposed measure also upholds the principles of gender equality, equity, and women's empowerment," Santiago said.

During the interpellation period, Santiago said that the bill takes important steps in institutionalizing reproductive health services; but it can be further improved by being more specific in addressing the issues of access and availability.

"Reproductive health has been a policy of the Department of Health since 1998, but it has not been consistently integrated into the DOH's services nor has it been sufficiently set as the standard of care for local governments. This bill seeks to address this lack of direction and consistency," Santiago said.

According to Santiago , the Reproductive Health Bill can stand up against critics who suspect a population control agenda behind the law. She stressed that the bill is not a violation of the religious freedom of those who do not agree with contraceptive use and abortion.

"The bill does not make any amendments relevant to State policy on abortion. In fact, the bill insures that the principles of non-establishment and free religious exercise guide the State in its implementation. Reproductive Health within the bill is integrated into the health care system, and is framed as an entitlement or a right of citizens and consequently as a mandate of the state," Santiago said.

"Simply put, the bill primarily addresses health needs, and is essentially a measure which institutes standards of care and the availability of services," she explained.

Santiago said that while there are significant connections between population, environmental sustainability, development, and health, States should approach the issue through policies which respect rights and empower citizens to make their own decisions.

An educated lay theologian, Santiago said that the State, as a secular institution, should make sure that individuals are able to exercise their decisions free from compulsion.

"The alarmists who oppose the Reproductive Health Bill because of fears that the law on abortion will be amended by the bill are completely misinformed. It is a basic rule of statutory construction that amendments have to be expressly made. Their argument is therefore baseless," Santiago said.

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