Keynote address of Albay First District Rep. Edcel Lagman to mark the 10th anniversary of the Reproductive Health Law at an event sponsored by the Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development at Park Inn by Radisson North EDSA hotel in Quezon City on Dec. 13, 2022. First of 2 parts

IN my almost three decades as a legislator, I have principally authored landmark laws from the “Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law” (CARL) and “An Act Prohibiting the Imposition of Death Penalty in the Philippines” to groundbreaking human rights statutes like the “Anti-Torture Law,” the “Anti-Enforced or Involuntary Disappearance Act,” and the “Human Rights Victims Reparation and Recognition Act.”

With the exception of the CARL, when I was with the Cory administration as a fiscalizer, all of these laws were passed when I was with the opposition. Truly, the minority can prevail.

I am, understandably, very proud of these laws and extremely grateful to the people and organizations who have helped pass these statutes.

But among all the bills I have fought and campaigned for so that they can eventually be part of the Philippines’ body of laws, I am most proud to be associated with the passage of the revolutionary and trailblazing “Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012.”

After it was signed into law by the late President Benigno Aquino 3rd on Dec. 21, 2012, I became a proud father for the eighth time, in addition to my seven children.

Without a doubt, the passage of the RH Law is a high point and a bright star not only in my legislative career but is also among the greatest milestones in Philippine legislation and policymaking.

It was a 13-year battle that we fought valiantly as one and together the RH warriors were all victorious after the initial RH bill was filed in 1999.

It would not be an exaggeration to state that those 13 years were akin to the plot of a soap opera. There were the usual heroes and heels; stories of betrayal and duplicity; tales of confrontation, discord, perseverance and determination; and accounts of lengthy negotiations, challenges overcome and innovative strategies developed.

Together we overcame numerous challenges over those 13 years because we had persistence, patience and principles.

Together we prevailed over a well-funded campaign to demonize the RH bill because we had an unshakable faith in our cause — that every child born deserves to be planned and wanted; that women should not die from unplanned, mistimed and high risk pregnancies; that people must have the right to decide when and how often they want to become parents; and that sustainable human development and genuine progress cannot be achieved if the Philippines does not address its population problem and help women achieve their fertility goals.

Precursor of gender legislation

The RH Law is a law that keeps on giving. It is not only a landmark piece of women-centered legislation, it has also become the precursor of many gender-oriented laws.

Since the law was passed in 2012, there has been an increase in laws focusing on the health and welfare of women and girls and the promotion of gender equality and equity.

After the RH Law, the Congress passed the following 10 statutes: Anti-Mail Order Bride Act; Safe Spaces Act; Kalusugan at Nutrisyong ng Mag-Nanay Act; Philippine HIV and AIDS Policy Act of 2018; 105-Day Expanded Maternity Leave Law; Anti-Child Marriage Law; An Act Providing for Stronger Protection Against Rape/and Sexual Exploitation and Abuse; Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children/and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials Act; Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act; and Expanded AntiTrafficking in Persons Act.

It is also important to mention the Kasambahay Act whose primary beneficiaries are women workers.

In hindsight, the 13 years that it took to pass the RH Law ensured that for more than a decade women’s rights and welfare were incessantly covered by the media and were front and center in many discussions and debates from classrooms and boardrooms to local sari-sari stores and high-end dinner parties.

The protracted debates in the Congress, especially in the House of Representatives; numerous talk shows on TV regarding RH and parallel radio interviews; and the allimportant educational campaigns and information drives by our indefatigable allies in civil society, got people talking and encouraged them to think seriously about women’s issues and gender concerns.

It brought to light the plight of women, the importance of family planning and responsible parenthood, the dangers of unplanned pregnancies, and the sad reality of maternal and infant mortality in the country, among others.

Most importantly, it highlighted the fact that reproductive selfdetermination is a human right because women have the inalienable right over their own bodies.

Achievements of RH Law

The passage of the historic RH Law made it clear that even a Goliath like the Catholic Church can tumble and its virulent opposition crumble when Davids like us band together and fight a good fight armed with solid arguments; scientific data; dogged determination; boundless patience; unwavering conviction; and most importantly, the staunch support of Filipino women.

Our victory bolstered the unassailable verity that voluntary family planning and access to reproductive health information commodities and services are basic human rights and are central to promoting women’s rights, gender equality and the genuine empowerment of women.

In the last decade, the RH Law has helped millions of Filipino women avoid pregnancy when they do not want or are not ready to be pregnant. When women are able to plan their pregnancies and space their children, they promote and protect their own health in the process. This in turn leads to not only crucial health rewards but also substantial economic and social benefits for women, their children, their communities, and society as a whole.

Providing an enabling environment for women and couples to freely determine whether, when or how often to have children contributes considerably to safe motherhood, healthier infants, the general welfare of families and ultimately, to prosperous communities and genuine human development.

To be concluded on Friday, Dec. 16, 2022