MANILA, Philippines - Two lawmakers who are both obstetrician-gynecologists (OB-GYN) by profession faced off on the floor of the plenary of the House of Representatives to debate the Reproductive Health (RH) Bill.

Iloilo Rep. Janet Garin stood as sponsor defending the measure, while Bacolod Rep. Anthony Golez interpellated.

Golez and Garin spent more than an hour debating on whether life begins during fertilization or implantation.

Golez practically delivered a medical lecture on fertilization and implantation, complete with Powerpoint presentation.

Garin, however, countered that this is irrelevant since the RH Bill does not dwell on this question. Golez said the RH Bill involves policies that could encroach into that matter.

They were interrupted by Pangasinan Rep. Kimi Cojuancgo who manifested that this is a matter that should have been discussed at the committee level. Cojuancgo said the debate felt like a biology class.

Session was momentarily suspended to defuse the tension.

When session resumed, presiding officer Deputy Speaker Boying Remulla ruled that Golez will be allowed to continue till he has used up his time limit.

Under the rules, each interpellator has 60 minutes excluding answers.

After about an hour, Golez’s time limit was questioned. The plenary then suspended the consideration of RH Bill and went on to consider other pending measures and business.