APRIL 11, 2014

NR # 3433D

Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr.s Statement on the Divorce Bill and possible Abortion Bill
After the Supreme Court decision upholding the RH Law was announced, speculations have flooded media on the divorce bill being the next priority as well as gay marriage and even abortion. hey are all !ust that right now "" speculation. #hile a $ivorce %ill has been indeed filed, my personal views on the issue as well as those of my colleagues will be irrelevant at this point because li&e any measure filed, it will have to go through the regular legislative process. his means that thorough studies, committee and possible public hearings will still be held before the bill reaches final congressional approval. 't is not a legislative priority as there are vital pending measures that need attention including the %angsamoro, the proposal to revise economic provisions in our Constitution and even the ()' as well as other measures that need to be addressed mostly aimed at moving the country ahead and affording our people with a better *uality of life. #e continue to be responsive to the needs of the ma!ority of our people, craft these measures accordingly but prioriti+e them based on urgency as well. he idea of having an abortion bill is very far"fetched and involves playing ,od to the unborn which is a role we will not play. 't also runs counter to our principle of aiming to improve the lives of our people. 't is not and cannot ever be in our agenda. -./0