Philippine lawmakers speed birth control vote

MANILA (AFP) - Philippine legislators on Monday voted to terminate heated debates on a controversial birth control law after President Benigno Aquino urged its speedy passage.

A "voice vote" at the 285-member House of Representatives ended further debates on the bill which has polarised the largely Catholic nation of almost 100 million.

Congressman Edcel Lagman, the main proponent of the bill, said the loud, vocal support for accelerating its passage was a "positive indication" that it would be passed by the House this month.

"We are at the threshold of victory but we are not yet at our victory because we will have to wait for final voting," he told AFP.