MANILA, Philippines — While public attention is focused on the ongoing impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona, the House of Representatives has begun efforts to pass priority measures, including the highly divisive Reproductive Health (RH) bill.

Iloilo Rep. Janette L. Garin, one of the principal authors of the RH measure, said the Congress’ resumption of RH debates on Tuesday proved that it is not neglecting important pending measures.

“This is in contrast to the claim of some that the impeachment proceedings seem to delay Congress work,” she said in a statement.

“The resumption of the RH debates likewise gives a clear sign that authors, including the leadership of the House of Representatives, are doing everything to iron out doubts about the proposed measure, in the spirit of true legislation,” Garin said.

Majority Leader and Mandaluyong Rep. Neptali “Boyet” Gonzales II earlier said his colleagues were preoccupied with the Chief Magistrate’s impeachment proceedings and leaving the legislative mill unattended.

At the resumption of Congress, the House leadership said it is seeking to pass at least 23 priority measures within the year, including the consolidated House Bill 4244 or the RH bill which has yet to be approved on the second reading.

Garin also asked Fr. Melvin Castro, executive secretary of the Catholic Bishops’ Episcopal Commission on Family and Life, to stop misinforming the public about the RH bill, lamenting that the latter is linking the measure with the impeachment proceedings.

“In the name of fairness and for the sake of the Filipino people, Fr. Castro should stop spreading misinformation on the RH bill. The anti-RH group should just allow legislators to do their job – and that is to pass legislations that will help improve the lives of the Filipino people,” she said.