TOLEDO CITY, Cebu, Philippines – The issue on the controversial Reproductive Health (RH) Bill continues to divide the House of Representatives with no clear majority on both sides, whether pro or con, among House members.

This was the information given by Cebu 3rd District Representative Pablo John Garcia, who’s on the side of House members opposed to said bill. Garcia said that if the bill is to be decided on in the House today, it will be a close vote.

“I don't think either side has a clear majority now because there are a lot of pro and anti-RH bill and it has become a question of which side will get the undecideds among us. It is an interesting situation where it concerns the fate of the RH bill in the House now,” said Garcia.

He said the debate on the RH Bill has turned ugly because those who are in favor and against the measure have taken an “intolerant” stance. He said “sobriety should be exercised and religion should not be included in the picture.”

Garcia maintains that he is against the bill not for religious reasons but because of the issue on prioritization of government resources and the question of what the country’s strategy on population really is.

“I don't believe that the contraceptive bill is evil. I am against the RH Bill because it puts too much resources, that is, millions and millions of pesos worth of government resources, on a very small and specific area of health, which is contraception and maternal care,” he told reporters.