Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. said proposals to legalize divorce and abortion in the country remain at the bottom rung of legislative priorities of the House of Representatives despite the recent decision of the Supreme Court to uphold the Reproductive Health (RH) law.

“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. They are all just that right now – speculation,” Belmonte said.

Belmonte is the honorary chairman of the National Unity Party (NUP).

He assured the public that the House will focus instead on pending vital legislative measures such as the Bangsamoro law, the proposal to amend the economic provisions of the Constitution and the Freedom of Information Act, “as well as other measures that need to be addressed mostly aimed at moving the country ahead and affording our people with a better quality of life.”

“While a Divorce Bill has been indeed filed, my personal views on the issue as well as those of my colleagues will be irrelevant at this point because like any measure filed, it will have to go through the regular legislative process. This means that thorough studies, committee and possible public hearings will still be held before the bill reaches final congressional approval,” the Speaker noted.

As for a possible abortion bill, Belmonte said “this is very far-fetched and involves playing God to the unborn which is a role we will not play. It also runs counter to our principle of aiming to improve the lives of our people.”

“It is not and cannot ever be in our agenda,” the Speaker stressed.

Belmonte said the House continues to be responsive to the needs of the majority of Filipinos and crafts measures “accordingly but prioritizes them based on urgency as well.”