Updated: 2012-12-18 10:13
By Cathy C. Yamsuan, Christian V. Esguerra and Leila B. Salaverria (asianewsnet)
Philippines Senators Miriam Defensor-Santiago and Pia Cayetano embraced each other as they stood in the middle of the session hall, while Senate President Pro Tempore Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada announced yessterday night the 13-8 vote approving the reproductive health (RH) or population bill.
It was a long-delayed triumph for both women who gained enemies for their defence of what they believed was a measure that would give a woman the choice to determine the number of her children, meet a teener’s need to be protected from an unplanned pregnancy and educate citizens about sexual health.
“There is no force more powerful than an idea whose time has come and that idea today is the RH bill,” Santiago said. Before the voting, the bill had languished in Congress for 13 years.
A quarter before 8 last night, senators approved Senate Bill No. 2865 on third and final reading, less than an hour after they did the same on second reading.
The vote in the Senate paves the way for the measure to become law after the House of Representatives also approved on third reading last night the bill that President Benigno Aquino III had certified as urgent.
‘No miracle’
The “miracle” that anti-RH groups were waiting for did not materialise, as the House voted 133-79-7 to pass House Bill No. 4244 on final reading, increasing the winning margin to 54. In the second reading on Thursday, the chamber voted 113-104-3.
The two chambers will have to reconcile their versions of the bill in a bicameral conference committee so Aquino can sign the measure into law.
Senate leaders have yet to name their representatives to the bicameral conference that Santiago wants to convene Tuesday.
The Palace hailed both houses of Congress for their “historic vote” and crafting a law “that can truly address the needs of our people”.
“The people now have the government on their side as they raise their families in a manner that is just and empowered,” presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said. “It begins a process of healing for the wounds that may have been opened by an often feisty democracy.”
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These are today's Suertres/Swertres Lotto tips; Yesterday's results are at the bottom
011
147**
047**
347**
348*
478**
479**
469*
279
679
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349*
346*
038**
358**
138**
378**
478
148
458
248
Yesterday's Philippine PCSO Draw Results
For December 17, 2012 Monday
EZ2 Lotto
Morning 11am: 19-28
Afternoon 4pm: 26-06
Evening 9pm: 09-14
Winning numbers in exact order
Php 4,000.00 per 10 peso play
Suertres Lotto Luzon Vis-Min
Morning 11:00 am: 6-5-1
Afternoon 4:00 pm: 0-5-3
Evening 9:00 pm: 7-8-1
Winning numbers in exact order
Php: 4,500 per 10 peso play
4Digit Luzon & Vismin
9pm: 1-1-7-4
Winning numbers in exact order
Mega 6/45 National Lottery
22-29-31-21-39-38
Current Jackpot: Php 26,430,715.80
(0)winner
Winning numbers in any order
Grand 6/55 Lotto
37-14-40-21-24-27
Current Jackpot: Php 45,675,889.20
(0)winner
Winning numbers in any order
For best results, it is suggested to always employ rumble on the tips above.
* = Hot Numbers
** = Very Hot Numbers
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