'Soul Sisters' lauded for supporting RH bill

MANILA, Philippines - House Minority Leader Edcel Lagman lauded the “Soul Sisters” group of eight congresswomen for supporting the Reproductive Health Bill, of which he is principal author and sponsor.

He cited his colleagues’ “remarkable courage and unwavering determination in pushing for the passage of the bill.”

“The Soul Sisters will not only be a breath of fresh air in the RH debates. These strong and accomplished women will be indispensable to the imminent passage of the RH bill into law,” he said.

Kimi Cojuangco of Pangasinan, Jaye Lacson-Noel of Malabon, Janet Garin of Iloilo, and Sandy Ocampo of Manila, and party-list lawmakers Emily Aglipay, Sharon Garin and Abigail Faye Ferriol compose the group.

Lagman said he was not surprised “at the commitment and daring” shown by his colleagues.

“I have always believed that a pro-woman measure like the RH bill will have no death of women supporters,” he said.

He said Bill 4244, or the proposed Responsible Parenthood, Reproductive Health and Population Development Act, “will promote maternal and infant health even as it will prevent the death of thousands of mothers and babies annually.”

In forming their group on Tuesday, Cojuangco appealed to Catholic bishops not to judge and vilify them for supporting the bill, saying they are prioritizing the interest of poor women.

“Of course, they are entitled to talk about morality. But when it comes to our decision, it has to be for the good of the people. Most people want to plan their families. We must work for maternal care,” she said.

The group derived its name from a favorite song of Cojuangco.

Lacson-Noel said her support for the RH bill is a “very personal” matter.

She said it is based on stories of “women about unwanted pregnancies, women who have six or seven children but who cannot stop getting pregnant because the men insist it is their right, women who would rather that the government take away their children because they don’t know what to do with them, women who get beaten every time they refuse sex for fear of another unwanted pregnancy.”