Sunday, April 24, 2011
THE Philippine Legislators' Committee on Population and Development (PLCPD) on Sunday expressed optimism that the reproductive health (RH) bill will be passed soon, especially after the latest statement of support from President Benigno Aquino III.
In a phone interview, PLCPD Executive Director Ramon San Pascual said the proximity of Aquino’s latest “pitch” for the RH bill would definitely become a factor when the legislators begin the plenary debates.
“The message of the President should ring as Congress resumes session,” said San Pascual. “Its momentum would definitely be carried over once the plenary debates on the RH bill begin."
The RH advocate said he believes that such a strong support from the President would definitely be a factor once the lawmakers vote for the measure.
“That call of the president would hopefully result to the legislators being more aggressive in their push for the RH bill,” he said.
Last week, Aquino said he is firm in his conviction to have the responsible parenthood bill passed despite strong and persistent opposition from some sectors, especially the Roman Catholic Church.
The bill is expected to be debated in the House of Representatives plenary when it resumes session on May 9 after it was passed successively by the House committees on population and family relations, on appropriations, and on rules earlier this year.
Catholic Church divided over RH bill, bishop admits
In a related report, Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines has not been spared from the division brought about by the reproductive health bill.
This was admitted by an official of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), adding some priests support the bill opposed by the Church.
“Well, in the Church, there’s a space for dissent also… Even the 10 commandments, ang daming hindi nago-obey di ba?!” said CBCP-Episcopal Commission on Family and Life (ECFL) chairman Archbishop Paciano Aniceto in an interview. “We leave it to their conscience. We respect that. But majority are not in favor. I think, in their own moral and theological discernment, we should respect them for that."
The prelate noted that these priests have maintained anonymity although some bishops are aware of dissenting positions.
However, he believes that these priests are only misguided or lacking in complete knowledge of the RH bill’s provisions.
“If I were his bishop, I would remind him… perhaps he does not know the aspects of the RH bill. If given thorough explanation and the consequences of this and the effects of this, I think he will be able to change his judgment,” said Aniceto.
The CBCP has been the strongest opponent of the RH bill describing it as being an anti-life measure since it promotes the use of artificial contraceptives.
No less than President Aquino has already said that his government is committed at passing the said bill under the responsible parenthood (RP) bill banner.