The Reproductive Health Bill: July 2011

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Last and Final Entry (July 15, 2011)

Now that this is over, I would like to make a summary of what I have written for my blog posts regarding the Reproductive Health Bill. As I have probably mentioned countless of times already, I am for RH Bill. I support it and all its aims and objectives and I really hope it gets enacted into a law because I believe it will definitely help solve one of the problems of the Philippines, which is overpopulation.

In the first part of my entries, I stated a long explanation of why I support the Reproductive Health Bill. I mentioned my “anger” on the people who are against it too. I know everyone’s entitled to his or her own opinion, but that is my opinion and I am entitled too to say it. I also wrote about how this RH Bill, the one penned by Hon. Edcel Lagman, is different from that of the RH Bill penned by Senator Miriam Defensor - Santiago. In the next few blog entries I posted, I wrote about some of the more known news articles about the RH Bill and the issues surrounding it.

For the following blog entries, I also wrote about some of the prominent supporters of the RH Bill. Those who are really vocal about their views and are not shy voicing out their opinions regarding the RH Bill. These prominent supporters came from different sectors, some of them into politics, some into news and current affairs, and some even into show business. I topped this off with an entry about the Purple Ribbon Campaign, a campaign the supporters of the RH Bill came up with to better inform the public of what the RH Bill is really all about.

Since we are doing blog entries on the RH Bill, I decided to dedicate a week to bloggers who write about the RH Bill in their own respective blogs. These bloggers blogged about their opinions and views on the different issues surrounding the RH Bill. I made these entries because I admire all these bloggers who reach out to people by writing their opinions in their blogs, which can be accessed by many Filipinos.

The latter part of my blog entries were all about the Senators who signed an approval on the Reproductive Health Bill. There were twenty senators who signed the said approval but I was only able to do fifteen of them for I cannot anymore write beyond thirty five blog entries due to time constraints. I decided to do this for I posted before an entry regarding how they signed the said approval. These senators will be the people responsible for enacting the RH Bill into a law because of their positions in the government. I did this because it was also research for me to figure out how they came about supporting the RH Bill in the first place. It also made me think of what the possibilities are of them actually approving the RH Bill into a law or if they will still back out of it.

For thirty five blog entries, I hope I was able to voice out my opinions and views on the RH Bill. I also hope more people would be able to read this and be enlightened of what the RH Bill can do to make out country better in terms of population.

Senators Support the RH Bill: Senator Serge Osmeña (July 14, 2011)

In recent news about the development of the state of the Reproductive Health Bill in the country, twenty Philippine senators signed an approval of the said bill. This signing of an approval means a great development for the RH Bill for it means that the bill is actually going somewhere and not neglected totally. In a previous blog entry, I listed down the name of the Senators who signed the said approval. In the next few blog entries, I will be discussing the profiles of these Senators and probably state why they signed the approval. For today, we will be looking at Senator Sergio R. Osmeña III.

Born on December 13, 1943, Sergio de la Rama Osmeña III, better known as Serge Osmeña, is a senator of the Philippines. He was born in Manila to Sergio Osmeña, Jr. from Cebu, and Lourdes de la Rama from Negros Occidental. He completed his elemntary education at De La Salle College. For his high school education, he went to different schools such as the St. Clement’s College in Iloilo, the Ateneo de Manila, and the Beaumont College in Berkshire, England. He also studied in several universities for his college education such as the University of San Carlos, the University of the Philippines, Los Baños, Harvard University, and Georgetown University. He went to all these universities but he never earned a college degree. Before becoming a politician, Serge Osmeña has held several business positions in top companies in the Philippines.

Because he is a son of a Marcos rival, Serge Osmeña was imprisoned during the Martial Law. He became part of many strikes against then President Ferdinand Marcos and became a prominent figure of that time. After Marcos was ousted and all his prisoners returned to the country, Serge Osmeña was one of the many who gained back top positions in top companies. In 1995, Serge Osmeña ran and won in the senatorial race. This started his career as a senator and he is still currently serving his term since 2007.

Serge Osmeña is married to Isabel Lopez, with whom he has six children with. He came from a family of senators with his grandfather being one during the American colonization, and his father during the 1960s. His cousin also served in the senate for four terms. His other grandfather, was also a senator. Serge Osmeña’s other relatives, though not senators themselves, are also politicians. His nephew used to be a Vice Governor for Cebu, and his younger brother is the current Congressman of Cebu City.

Serge Osmeña has been serving the country for a long time now and has seen what our country was and how it has become now. From everything he saw, he knows how our country now suffers from all its problem. I hope he sees that the Reproductive Health Bill can be a solution to one of our problems, which is overpopulation, and helps to enact it into a law so that our country can be in a better state.

Senators Support the RH Bill: Senator Joker Arroyo (July 13, 2011)

Joker Paz Arroyo, a Filipino lawyer, politician, and current senator of the Philippines was born on January 05, 1927 in Naga, Camarines Sur. Joker, as many would think, is not his nickname. He was named as such because his father was very fond of playing card games. This also led to his brother being named Jack.

Joker Arroyo finished his elementary education at the Naga Elementary School, and his high school education at the Camarines Sur High School, both in Naga. He went on to study at the University of the Philippines under a scholarship and earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree. In 1952, he earned his Bachelor of Law from the University of the Philippines’ College of Law. He continued studying at the Ateneo de Manila University, where he earned his AAPL. He officially started his law career in 1953.

Joker Arroyo was very prominent during the Martial Law for he was one of the many who questioned then President Ferdinand Marcos’ authority. He fought alongside Corazon Aquino in this cause and so when she won the presidential elections, he was appointed as the Executive Secretary.

In 1992, he ran independently for Congressman in Makati. He continued serving in this position until he won again for the same position in 1998. In 2001, Joker Arroyo ran and won a senate seat. Ever since he won a seat in the senate, he has chaired such committees as the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, the Senate Justice and Human Rights Committee, and the Senate Public Services Committee.

Joker Arroyo has been married twice his entire life. Odelia Gregorio was his first wife, and they have two daughters together: Ma. Antonia Odelia “Maoi” Greogorio Arroyo, an established entrepreneur; and Ma. Zef Francisca “Baba” Arroyo, also an entrepreneur. His second wife is lawyer Felicitas S. Aquino, and their daughter, also named Joker, is a champion equestrienne, and a law student herself.

Joker Arroyo has been in the Philippine politics for a really long time now which means he has seen the ups and downs our country had. He has seen all of these which makes me think that he knows how much the Reproductive Health Bill can help alleviate our country’s problem of overpopulation. I just hope he says something about this, how the Philippines can be back to normal, the way it was before, if only we give the RH Bill a chance to live up to its goal and change our country’s situation.

Senators Support the RH Bill: Senator Miguel Zubiri (July 12, 2011)

Born on April 13, 1968, Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri is a Filipino politician who has served the government for more than 10 years now. He was born in Makati City, though his father is a Spanish - Illongo hailing from Bacolod City, and his mother is a Bicolana who was raised in Bukidnon. His father, Jose Ma. R. Zubiri, Jr. is the current Governor of Bukidnon. He speaks an amazing four dialects, namely Cebuano, Tagalog, English, and Illongo. He was a Congressman from the 3rd District of Bukidnon for three consecutive terms. He is currently the Majority Leader of the Senate of the Philippines.

Miguel Zubiri completed his elementary and high school education in Colegio San Agustin - Makati. He then attended the University of the Philippines, Los Baños, graduating with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness. He is currently completing his Masters in Environment and Natural Resources Management at the University of the Philippines.

Miguel Zubiri’s political career started when he ran for the position his father will be soon vacating. After serving as his chief of staff, he won the 1998 elections and became the Representative of the 3rd District of Bukidnon. He continued to work in this position from two more terms, from 2001 to 2007. During the 2007 elections, Miguel Zubiri ran for a senate position and won the 12th and last place. His win in the said elections went through numerous hoops because of this and that issues. But finally, he was proclaimed winner despite the many allegations that he cheated. During his terms, Miguel Zubiri has held several other positions in the government that proved how good he is in his line of work.

As a senator, Miguel Zubiri has enacted a number of laws already. These laws he enacted is for the different sectors of the society and will definitely benefit many Filipinos. One other bill that he can add to the list of laws he enacted is the Reproductive Health Bill. Miguel Zubiri should see the benefits the RH Bill can provide to many people and how it will help alleviate the country’s problem of overpopulation.If he does this, he can help enact the RH Bill into a law and if the bill lives up to its goal, Miguel Zubiri can definitely help many people around the country, like he did with the other laws he enacted before.

Senators Support the RH Bill: Senator Teofisto Guingona III (July 11, 2011)

Teofisto de Lara Guingona III, or better known as TG Guingona, was born on April 19, 1959. He is a Philippine senator currently serving the government. His grandfather, Teofisto Guingona, Sr. was a former assemblyman, senator, judge, and commissioner of Mindanao and Sulu during the American colonization of the Philippines. His father, Teofisto Guingona, Jr., used to be, like him, a senator from 1998 to 2001, and Vice President of the Philippines under former President Gloria Macapagal - Arroyo from 2001 to 2004.

TG Guingona started his political career in 2004, when he was elected to the House of Representatives of the Philippines as the Representative of the 2nd District of Bukidnon. He served his hometown for two consecutive terms, and is a member of the Liberal Party. He ran for a senatorial position during the 2010 national elections and won the 12th place. He ran under the political party Liberal Party. He is currently married to Maria Victoria Guingona.

TG Guingona came from a very prominent family of politicians. In his family alone, he is the third Teofisto Guingona to have served or is serving the Philippine government. His father and his grandfather who have preceded him in serving the government has both made their marks in the history of the Philippines in their own ways. TG Guingona is just new to the arena of Philippine politics and as early as now, he should already start making a name for himself, something that could be compared to the achievements of those who have preceded him, particularly his father and his grandfather. He must become a different Guingona for himself, to be known as someone who did something his father and his grandfather has never done for the country and its people.

In my opinion, TG Guingona should start with the Reproductive Health Bill, one of the current issues our country is facing right now. Since he signed an approval on the RH Bill, he, like the rest of his colleagues who also signed the said approval, also believes in the change the RH Bill can bring to our country. He should start doing something for the RH Bill so he can make a name for himself, and he can add to the list of Guingonas who made a difference for our country. The RH Bill is one of the many things our country needs right now and he should help in making that happen.

Senators Support the RH Bill: Senator Ralph Recto (July 08, 2011)

Born on January 11, 1964, Ralph Gonzalez Rectos is a politician from the Philippines. He has served the government for almost 20 years now in his many positions within the government. He is currently a Philippine Senator having won during the May 2010 national elections.

Ralph Recto is not really new in the world of politics. His grandfather was the late Claro M. Recto, who was himself a senator for a number of terms. His father, Attorney Rafael Recto used to be an assemblyman for the Batasang Pambansa. Ricky Recto, his older brother, was the former Vice Governor of Batangas. But his sister though, Plinky Recto, differs from the rest of them as she went in to the world of showbusiness.

Ralph Recto attended the De La Salle University - Manila where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. He attended the famous Harvard University in Boston, Massachusetts, USA and took up a course in Leadership Scholarship at its John F. Kennedy School of Government. Healso has two Master’s Degrees, with one being in question by the people. He took up a Master’s Degree in Public Administration at the University of the Philippines, Diliman, but he never completed his thesis that is needed for the course so this one is in question. The other, he attended the University of Asia and the Pacific where he earned a Master’s Degree in Strategic Business Economics.

Ralph Recto began his political career in 1992 when he won as the Representative of the 4th District of Batangas. He served for the next three terms and by the time his term ended in 2001, he has enacted laws that will help alleviate the country’s problem of poverty. In 2001, he ran for a senatorial seat and won. During his term, he became the chairman of both the Committee on Ways and Means, and the Committee on Trade and Industry. In 2007, he ran for the senate again but unfortunately lost. Many believed his loss can be attribute to the fact that he fought for the EVAT to be approved. Despite this, he was still appointed the director-general of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA). During the 2010 elections, he ran for the senate again, and this time he finally won.

Ralph Recto is married to actress turned Batangas Governor Vilma Santos. They have a child together, Ryan Christian ,and he is the stepfather of television personality Luis Philippe Manzano, Vilma’s son from a previous relationship.

Senators Support the RH Bill: Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada (July 07, 2011)

Born Jose Pimentel Ejercito, Jr. on February 17, 1963 in Manila, Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada, as he is more known, is a former Philippine actor turned politician. His parents are former President Joseph “Erap” Ejercito Estrada, and Luisa Estrada. His half-brother, Joseph Victor Ejercito, is also a politician. Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada has been married to Presentacion Vitug since 1989.

His political career started in 1988 when he ran and won the position of Vice Mayor of then San Juan, Metro Manila (now San Juan City). After his term ended in 1992, he then ran for the position of mayor in the same city and also won. It was during the 2004 elections that Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada ran for a senatorial position and won. Since 2007, Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada was voted by his colleagues to be the Senate President Pro-tempore. His most famous bill would have to be the Senate Bill 1556, in which he proposed that the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) would be mandatory for all college students, may they be male or female.

Before becoming an established politician, Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada was also a known movie and television actor. This just goes to show how much he has followed his father’s footsteps. Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada has made more than two dozen movies, and several television series.

Jinggoy Estrada Ejercito, I would have to say, may have been following his father’s footsteps, but I hope he does not follow it to the very end when he commits plunder and corruption as grave as his father’s. He is a man of his own. He should do something extraordinary that would separate him, in a good way, from the actions his father had. I believe, he should start with the Reproductive Health Bill. He signed the approval for the RH Bill because he believes in the change it would bring about to the Filipino people. He, along with his other colleagues, should do something big for the RH Bill that would help it in its goal of finally becoming a law. If he believes in the RH Bill, he should prove it by showing to the people he is doing something to support the said RH Bill. I know it should not be the work of only one person, but he should be the start of this campaign, an inspiration to his colleagues that he is doing something for something he believes can help change the face of the Philippines.

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Senators Support the RH Bill: Senator Alan Peter Cayetano (July 06, 2011)

Alan Peter Schramm Cayetano, born on October 28, 1970, is a Filipino senator. His father was the late former Senator Renato “Compañero” Cayetano. While his mother was Sandra-Schramm Cayetano, a teacher. Alan Peter Cayetano has two other brothers and one sister: Pia Cayetano Sebastian, a senator; Rene Carl Cayetano, a councilor; and Lino Edgardo Cayetano, a television and film director.

Alan Peter Cayetano studied in De La Salle-Santiago Zobel School in Alabang for his elementary education and high school education. He then went on to study at the University of the Philippines where he took up and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and graduated in 1993. After that, he continued studying and went to study at the Ateneo de Manila University. From there, he became a Juris Doctor in 1997, and then took the bar exam where he was admitted in 1998.

After being admitted into the bar, Alan Peter Cayetano worked in some firms. He then ran during the 1992 elections and won as the Representative of the Taguig/Pateros area. He served as the councilor of Taguig/Pateros from 1992 to 1995. He also became the Vice Mayor of Taguig from 1995 to 1998. From there, he went on to become the Representative of the Taguig/Pateros area from 1998 to 2007. It was in 2007 that Alan Peter Cayetano became a Senator of the Philippines, where he will serve until the end of his term in 2013. He is also a partner of his own law firm, the Cayetano, Sebastian, Ata, Dado, and Cruz (CASELAW), in which he established in 1998.

As a Philippine Senator, Alan Peter Cayetano has done a number of things while in office. During the 11th Congress, he was one of the Representative who endorsed a verified complaint for impeachment against former President Joseph “Erap” Ejercito Estrada. During the 13th Congress, he was one of the people who said no to the dumping of the impeachment complaint against former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in 2005 and 2006. Also during the 11th Congress, he was one of the Senators who signed the RA 8749, also known as the Philippine Clean Air Act.

Alan Peter Cayetano, though a little known senator, can do so much for the passing of the Reproductive Health Bill into a law. I just hope he does something profoundly for the RH Bill that will not only turn the faith of the bill around, but also turn his career upside down for the better.

Senators Support the RH Bill: Senator Francis Pangilinan (July 05, 2011)

Francis Pancratius Nepomuceno Pangilinan was born on August 24, 1963 in Manila. He is a Philippine senator, serving since 2001. During his term, he became the Senate Majority Leader in 2008, and is currently the Chairman of the Committees in Agriculture and Social Justice in the Senate.

Kiko Pangilinan, as he is called, was born to Donato Pangilinan, an engineer and entrepreneur, and Emma Nepomuceno, a public school teacher. A fifth child, he has eight brother and sisters: Maricel Aranas, Angeli Valenciano, Nenette Zipperich, Joseph, Anthony, Felichi Buizon, John Raymund, and Donna Simpao. He attended La Salle Greenhills for his elementary and high school education. He then graduated from the University of the Philippines Diliman with a Bachelor of Arts in English, Major in Comparative Literature. During his stay at the university, he became chairman of the Student Council in 1986, and became the first Student Regent in 1987 of the UP Board of Regents. He was also elected as the Philippine Representative to the Committee on Youth Cooperation of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN). He then went on to study at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, where he earned a degree of Master of Science in Public Administration, focusing on Strategic Management.

In 1988, Kiko Pangilinan. was elected councilor of Quezon City. During his term, he focused on programs for the youth, leading him to have founded the National Movement of Young Legislators (NYML). In 2001, Kiko Pangilinan ran for a seat in the senate, where he won and was re-elected for six more years. He became the Senate Majority Leader in 2004.

As for his personal life, Kiko Pangilinan is married to the megastar herself, Sharon Cuneta. They have three children together: Simone Francesca Emmanuelle, Mariel Daniella Sophia, and Maria Kristina Cassandra, who is Sharon Cuneta’s daughter from a previous relationship and whom Kiko Pangilinan has legally adopted.

Many see Kiko Pangilinan as just the husband of celebrity Sharon Cuneta, but her is more than that. He is actually a very good politician, a senator in particular. He has worked since before for youth empowerment. The Reproductive Health Bill becoming a law can definitely benefit the youth of today. I hope Kiko Pangilinan would continue to come up with youth programs having to do with how the RH Bill can help them so they will be enlightened with the facts about it.

Senators Support the RH Bill: Senator Chiz Escudero (July 04, 2011)

Born Francis Joseph Guevara Escudero on October 10, 1969, Chiz, as he is better known, is a current Philippine Senator. He is the second of three children of 1st District of Sorsogon Representative Salvador “Sonny” H. Escudero III and Evelina B. Guevara, a teacher.

Chiz Escudero has been a student of the University of the Philippines his whole life. During his elementary and high school education, he attended the University of the Philippines Integrated School. In 1988, he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science at the University of the Philippines Diliman. He then earned his Bachelors of Law in 1993 from the College of Law in the same university. He attended Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, D.C. where he received his Masters in International and Comparative Law in 1996. During his stay at the University of the Philippines, he was active in many school organizations. He was Secretary General of the Association of Law Students of the Philippines, a member of both the Alpha Beta Phi Fraternity and Alpha Beta Phi Debating Team. He was a consistent student in the honor roll, and was a member of the Order of the Purple Feather, also called as the U.P. Law Honor Society.

Before becoming a full time lawyer, Chiz Escudero first became a teaching assistant at his Alma Mater’s Department of Political Science. He became a Junior Associate from 1993 to 1994 at the Bautista, Picazo, Buyco, Tan, and Fider Law Office. From there, he became a Legal Consultant for the UNLAD Ship Management and Manning Corporation and Legal Counsel for the Crusade Against Violence (CAV). From 1995 up to the present, he is a partner of the Escudero, Marasigan, Sta. Ana, Vallente. and Villareal Law Office (EMSAVIL Law). Aside from being a lawyer, he also taught law at the University of the Philippines and the Ateneo De Manila University.

In 1998, Chiz became the Representative of the 1st District of Sorsogon. It was in 2007 that Chiz ran for a senate seat and won with the second highest number of votes. During all his terms as a politician, Chiz is known to always fight for what is true and right. With his signing of the position, it means that he actually supports the RH Bill. I just hope that like any other issues in the country, he would also fight for the passing of the RH Bill into law. His influence and his reputation as such politician should help the RH Bill in becoming a law.

Saturday, July 9, 2011

Senators Support the RH Bill: Senator Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. (July 01, 2011)

Born on September 13, 1957, Ferdinand “Bong Bong” Romualdez Marcos, Jr. is the only son of former President Ferdinand E. Marcos and Imelda Romualdez-Marcos. He, like his father, is into politics, being a senator of the 15th congress. Before that, he was a representative and governor of his hometown of Ilocos Norte.

Bong Bong Marcos attended La Salle Greenhills from pre-school to first year high school. He finished his secondary schooling at Worth School in England. He then studied at the Oxford University, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics. He continued studying at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, where he earned his Masters Degree in Business Administration.

Bong Bong Marcos is married to Louise Araneta-Marcos, with whom he has three sons: Ferdinand Alexander Marcos; Joseph Simon Marcos; and William Vincent Marcos.

Bong Bong Marcos has been into politics for over twenty years now. From 1980 to 1983, he was the Vice Governor of Ilocos Norte. From 1983 to 1986, he became the Governor. In 1992, he ran and was elected as Representative of the 2nd District of Ilocos Norte, serving until 1995. He was then elected again in 1998, but this time for the position of Governor. This went on until 2007 for he was elected and served for three consecutive terms. From 2007 to 2010, he served again as the Representative of the 2nd District of Ilocos Norte, assuming the position his sister, Imee Marcos, previously held. In the 2010 elections, he ran for a senatorial seat and won, having earned the 7th highest number of votes.

Bong Bong Marcos came from one of the most popular, and probably infamous, families in the Philippines. His father, the late President Ferdinand Marcos, may have been remembered to have done some very bad things to our country, but he also did some things that contributed to the development of the Philippines. He has witnessed the ups and downs the country has experienced and should base from that his view on how the Reproductive Health Bill can help in our country’s development. He should help in spreading the word that the RH Bill can help alleviate the country’s problem of overpopulation and probably bring back our country’s heyday. The charisma his father had, that I hope he has too, that helped in the country’s development before should also be used here to help enlighten the minds of the Filipino.

Friday, July 8, 2011

Senators Support the RH Bill: Senator Bong Revilla, Jr. (June 30, 2011)

Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr. was born on September 25, 1966, with the real name of Jose Marie Mortel Bautista. He is a movie and television actor turned politician and senator. His parents are Jose Acuña Bautista, also an actor who is better known as Ramon Revilla, and Azucena Mortel.

When he became an actor, he had the screen name of Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr. to be more associated with his actor father. His heyday was during the 1980s and 1990s, when he made a career out of doing numerous action movies. In the past few years, though still doing action movies while in senate, he also has done a number of television sitcoms for GMA-7.

His political career started in 1995, when former NBI Director Epimaco Velasco asked Bong Revilla to be his running mate in the local elections of their hometown of Cavite. They successfully won as governor and vice governor, respectively. In 1998 though, Epimaco Velasco resigned when he was appointed the Secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government. Bong Revilla assumed the position of governor, and this went on until he was elected the position in the 1998 elections. He was appointed by then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in 202 as the Chairman of the Videogram Regulatory Board (now Optical Media Board). In 2004, because his father couldn’t run anymore for a senatorial seat, he ran for the position under the K-4 coalition and won having received the second highest number of votes.

Bong Revilla is married to Jesusa Victoria Bautista Revilla, or more commonly knows as actress Lani Mercado. His wife Lani is currently the Representative of the 2nd District of Cavite. Together, they have six children: Leonard Bryan Revilla, Jose Lorenzo Revilla, Inah Felicia Revilla-Del Rosario, Maria Viktoria Gianna Revilla, Maria Franzel Loudette Revilla, and Ramon “Ram” Vicente Revilla.

Bong Revilla though is not the only family member who is into politics. His younger brother, Strike Revilla, is the incumbent mayor of Bacoor, Cavite, their hometown. His younger sister, Andrea Bautista-Ynares, is married to Casimiro “Jun” Ynares III, the Governor of Rizal.

As a well known actor and politician, Bong Revilla should use his status to inform more people about the benefits and the good side of the Reproductive Health Bill. I mean, he did not sign that approval if he does not believe in the change the RH Bill can bring about. He should take time and opportunity to do this so that more people will be enlightened about the RH Bill.

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Senators Support the RH Bill: Senator Ed Angara (June 29, 2011)

Edgardo Javier Angara was born on September 24, 1934 in Baler, Aurora. From 1993 to 1995, he served as the President of the Senate of the Philippines. He is currently serving his fourth term as a senator. He graduated from the University of the Philippines in 1958, where he earned his Bachelor of Laws degree. He was part of the Sigma Rho Fraternity while attending the said university. He then attended the University of Michigan’s School of Law in the United States of American and earned his Masters of Law degree in 1964.

IN 1972, he, together with UP College of Law, and now fellow senator, Juan Ponce Enrile, established what would now become one of the country’s most recognized and prestigious law firm, the Angara, Abello, Concepcion, Regala and Cruz (ACCRA) Law Offices. He also became the President of the University of the Philippines from 1981 to 1987. While in office, he established programs that will help UP students and alumni and put the said university on the map.

It was Ed Angara’s achievements that gave him a seat on the Senate of the Philippines. As the Senate Presidents from 1993 to 1995, he was able to pass laws on arts and culture, agriculture, education, good governance, health, and social welfare, that definitely helped a lot of Filipinos. In 1998, he ran alongside presidential candidate Joseph Estrada as his vice president. Althought Joseph Estrada won in a landslide, Ed Angara unfortunately lost to the vice presidential candidate Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Even though he lost, newly elected president Joseph Estrada appointed him as the Agriculuture Secretary and served from 1999 to 2001. With his leadership, the Agriculture Department grew and became a better department than before. He was also appointed the Executive Secretary but only served for less than two weeks because Joseph Estrada was impeached.

In 2001, Ed Angara ran again for a seat in the senate and he successfully won. He was again elected in 2007, serving his fourth term. Because of this, he is now the longest-serving senator of the post-EDSA government. In all his terms, Ed Angara penned and successfully passed laws that benefits many Filipinos from different sectors. He currently is the chairman of the Committee on Education, Arts, and Culture; the Committee on Science and Technology; and the Congressional Committee on Science and Technology and Engineering (COMSTE).

Senators Support the RH Bill: Senator Franklin Drilon (June 28, 2011)

Franklin Magtunao Drilon was born on November 28, 1945 in Iloilo City, Iloilo. He is the eldest son of Cesar Drilon, Sr. and Primitiva Magtunao. He graduated from the University of the Philippines in 1965, where he took up a Bachelor of Arts degree. His politician roots started in college when he was elected President of the UP Student Council. In 1969, he completed his Bachelors of Laws at the UP College of Law. He took the bar examination that same year where he placed third.

As a lawyer, he worked in law offices such as Sycip, Salazar, Luna, Manalo and Feliciano Law Offices (now SyCip Salazar, Hernandez and Gatmaitan); and Angara, Abello, Concepcion, Regala and Cruz Law Offices (ACCRALAW). He is politician who has served the Philippine Senate for two terms, from 2001-2006, and currently serving his third term. He served as the President of the Senate of the Philippines in 2000, after Senator Aquilino Pimentel, Jr. Before serving the senate, he worked in the Department of Justice, Department of Labor and Employment, and as an Executive Secretary in different committees.

Franklin Drilon is married to Violeta Calvo, a fellow lawyer and ACCRA senior partner. Together, they have two children, Eliza and Patrick. During his campaign for a senate seat in 1995, Franklin Drilon would often travel to the United States to be with his wife, who was being treated for lunch cancer there. His wife, Violeta, unfortunately lost the battle against cancer in September that same year, two months after his husband won a seat. But just two years after his wife’s death, Franklin Drilon proposed to Mila Serrano-Genuino, a close family friend who was a widow. They married and got President Corazon Aquino and President Fidel V. Ramos as their sponsors.

Franklin Drilon is a member of the Rotary Club, Makati Chapter. He is also an active member of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP). He used to be the president of the Pasay-Makati-Mandaluyong-San Juan Chapter of the IBP.

Senator Franklin Drilon is a very powerful and great politician. With his signing of the approval in this position of his, he will have a great influence on the RH Bill finally becoming a law. I am pretty sure the reason why he signed this approval was because he believes in the change that the RH Bill will bring. I just hope a lot of people will also see this.

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Senators Support the RH Bill: Senator Pia Cayetano (June 27, 2011)

Born on March 22, 1966, Pilar Juliana Schramm Cayetano is a lawyer, politician, and the youngest female elected senator in the history of the Republic of the Philippines. Her first term as a senator was in 2004, and she was then re-elected for a second in the 2010 elections. Being a politician runs in her blood. She is the unica hija of the late Senator Renato “Compañero” Cayetano and wife Sandra Schramm, who is a German-American school teacher. She has three brothers who are also popular in their respective fields. Alan Cayetano is a fellow senator, Rene Cayetano is an ex-councilor, and youngest brother Lino Cayetano is a well-know movie and television director.

As a lawyer, she worked in companies and organizations such as the Castillo, Laman Tan, and Pantaleon Law Offices; Belle Corporation and its affiliate BW Resources; Philweb Corporation. She was also appointed chairman of the Maxi Group of Companies. When her father, a famous politician, died in 2003 of stomach cancer, she was encouraged by her father’s colleagues to finish the work and advocacies his father started. She was the better choice because of her good background as a lawyer and economist. In the 2004 election, though unknown at first and with the help of her massive campaign, she won a seat at the senate landing in the sixth position.

As the youngest elected female senator, Pia Cayetano fought and still continues to fight for women right here in the Philippines. She advocated numerous programs that would benefit Filipino women. This gained her a popular position in the world of feminism here in the country. You would always see her front and center fighting for controversies against women and would always come up with campaigns, advocacies, and laws protecting women’s rights.

As for her personal life, Pia is a mother of two beautiful girls, Maxine and Nadine. In her spare time, she is a sports enthusiast, an advocate of youth development and healthy lifestyle among Filipinos. She has participated in numerous triathlons in and out of the country to support her campaign of a fit and healthy lifestyle. She has also established foundations such as Gabriel Symphony Foundation, in honor of her son who dies of multiple congenital anomalies; and in memory of her father, the Compañero Rene Cayetano Foundation was put up to support underprivileged people with their health and education.

The Reproductive Health Bill