RH Bill: A Haunting Issue

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The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) continues its resistance to thwart the passage of the controversial social issue of the Reproductive Health Bill which it states as “non-negotiable” despite the fact that the present government clearly remains its stance to support the re-filed RH Bill.

The church maintains that the bill will not promote responsible parenthood; instead, it seems to encourage the commission of promiscuous acts which are among the causes of abuse of women and children as much as the acts of abortion, and other related acts which do not adhere to the protection of the sanctity, value, and dignity of human life.

The head of CBCP public affairs is very vocal in his statement that instead of population control, what the government should be working on is population management, so the Catholic Church will work with the government in resolving the deep-rooted issues but with respect to the sanctity and dignity of human life.

The RH Bill however has different versions previously filed in congress. Bill 96, whose main proponent is Minority Leader Edcel Lagman, is said to be national and comprehensive in its scope and provides adequate funding to the population control program’s information dissemination and access to both natural and modern family planning methods which are medically safe, affordable, and legally permissible.

Spokesman Edwin Lacierda incited that President Aquino has been firm with his conviction that he is supporting responsible parenthood and not the Reproductive Health Bill by itself, and whether to inform the couples about contraception, it’s their choice what method they prefer to use.

Because of the president’s gripped stance on the issue, there are claims that the government US-based corporation offered a multi-million dollar grant for the country’s social welfare development programs to influence Aquino decision to support the Reproductive Health Bill.

The Catholic Church promotes only natural family planning, but not all Catholics are against the RH Bill, including some members of CBCP who have not spoken in public.

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I don’t think that the RH Bill is a beneficial and essential response to the social conditions of the poor, needy, and marginalized sector of our society which is the main target of that controversial bill.

The real issue as stated by the CBCP is not on population control, but population management: To uplift the quality of life of the people, the government should enhance education, create job opportunities, improve technical skills, give emphasis on nutrition, essential medicines and the like. This is in contradiction to the premise that the population growth impedes economic development and aggravates poverty.

“The path of irresponsible legislation is a dreaded path” according to Jo Imbong (PDI, posted 8/16/08). If an act is made legal, it will be perceived as moral. It will become a norm. If it is observed by all as a norm, then it’s too late”. He added.

The RH Bill with its floridity such as freedom, responsibility, health care, equality, rights, etc., are all just labels to cover how it is against the sanctity of human life and a threat to the dignity of every catholic family, and should be discarded in favor of ensuring that we still belong to God and subsist in His providence.

-Report and commentary by F.B.