Fact and Faction

THE controversial Reproductive Health Bill has been responsible for the “great divide,” not just among the religious and non-religious, but also between religious sects in the Philippines.
Among religious groups who have expressed their support for the passage of the RH Bill include members of The Interfaith Partnership for the Promotion of Responsible Parenthood, Inc. (IPPRP): Iglesia ni Cristo (INC), National Council of Churches in the Philippines, United Church of Christ of the Philippines, Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches, United Methodist Church, Philippine for Jesus Movement, Iglesia Filipina Independiente, Christian and Missionary Alliance Churches of the Philippines, Seventh Day Adventist, Salvation Army, Catholics for Reproductive Health, and Episcopal Church of the Philippines.
The IPPRP has expressed their approval of the bill, saying that it is “truly pro-life, pro-family, pro-poor and pro-national development.”
In a statement on April 25, the group “urged legislators to seriously push for the passage of the long-overdue RH/RP (responsible parenthood) bill toward its immediate implementation.”
INC’s executive minister Eduardo Manalo, through a letter sent to Biliran Rep. Rogelio Espina, chair of the House committee on population and family relations on October of last year, stated: “We are ready to support the bills on reproductive health as long as there would be no immoral elements in them.”
IPPRP chairman Bishop Rodrigo Tano said that Catholic bishops “have a negative idea of human sexuality and consider sex topics as taboo.”
Despite threats of being excommunicated by the Catholic Church, President Aquino has fearlessly asserted that he’d be willing to fight for the implementation of the bill, even if it would mean being deprived of his Catholic right.
The affirmation of various religious groups and priests of the bill demonstrates that the government’s move on population control is a democratic policy – one that, according to presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte, “encourages individual thinking in terms of choice.”
Meanwhile, Retired Cebu Archbishop Cardinal Vidal does not see any further reason for Malacañang and the Catholic Church to continue their dialogue on the RH bill. Pres. Aquino has already stated his stand on the issue and has been firm on his support for the passage of the RH Bill.
Former CBCP president and Jaro, Iloilo Archbishop Angel Lagdameo expressed sadness over the president’s decision, saying that “he ruined the trust of the Filipino people.”
While the country is divided on the issue, it would be good for each individual to read through the entire text of the proposed Reproductive Health Bill and weigh the pros and cons of the bill, in order to make an informed stand.
This way, citizens can also devise their own suggestions for its fine-tuning, and opinions of the majority would be given due consideration before a possible implementation.
Of course, other practical aspects of population control – easing unemployment, women’s health, responsible parenthood, to name a few – should also be ruminated upon. (AJPress)