Friday, May 20, 2011
PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III and Sarangani Representative Manny Pacquiao on Friday talked about their individual opinions on Reproductive Health (RH) bill.
The Filipino boxing champ went to Malacanang to pay a courtesy call to President Aquino following his triumphant fight against Sugar Shane Mosley last May 8.
The meeting lasted for over an hour, in which they discussed their contrasting opinions on RH bill, Deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said.
"There was a brief discussion on Responsible Parenthood bill. The President explained his five-point stand to Congressman Pacquiao. While Pacman also raised his concerns on the RH bill, which basically the same concerns he raised during his interpolation in Congress," Valte said.
Pacquiao remained firm on his stand regarding the bill but she deferred comment on whether it will change, noting the boxing champ's final say will be known during the voting in the House plenary on the controversial bill.
She noted that the President made clear to Pacquiao that they are on the same side with regard to abortion.
"They are in agreement when it comes to abortion. But one of the concerns of Pacman are the parents who do not want to have their children undergo in mandatory sex education," she said.
The RH bill, which is currently pending in Congress, earned strong criticism from the Church due to its provisions for compulsory sex education.
Valte said the meeting was merely a discussion and the President did not force Pacquiao to revisit his position on the RH bill.
Besides the RH bill, among the topics discussed included government assistance programs for Pacquiao's constituents in Sarangani.
"One if his concerns also involved his constituents in Sarangani, the number of beneficiaries for PhilHealth, and whether there are beneficiaries for the Pantawid Pamilya program and other programs of DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development)," Valte related.
Pacquiao also got a chance to recount to the President his experience while in the ring with Mosley.
Before the meeting ended, Pacquiao presented several gifts to Aquino such as an autographed yellow T-shirt and a gray hoody sweatshirt.
In return, the President gave a simple token to Pacquiao, said Valte