Legislators from the House of Representatives were urged to decide on the Reproductive Health Bill this week, the Palace confirmed yesterday after President Aquino met with the House members last Monday.

The President reportedly said that a week "should be an adequate time" to discuss amendments that will "genuinely improve the bill" and not kill it.

According to a statement from Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda, Aquino said the legislators can no longer afford to postpone the vote on what he described as a "divisive" measure. He said it is part of the legislators' responsibility to finally make a choice.

Lacierda said Aquino also reiterated his position in favor of the measure, saying that he would vote for it if he were a member of the lower House.

He stressed the need to provide parents with information about the size of their families and "understand the requirements" for raising healthy children but told House members to use their conscience in making their decision.*ABS-CBNNews.com