Thursday, May 19, 2011
THE showdown between House Minority Leader Edcel Lagman and Sarangani Representative Manny Pacquiao only emphasized how the eight-division world boxing champ is just being used by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).
The "beating" Pacquiao took at the hands of Lagman simply revealed that the boxer is not really aware of the provisions and details of the Reproductive Health (RH) bill, Philippine Legislators' Committee on Population and Development (PLCPD) Executive Director Ramon San Pascual said in a phone interview.
"It was obvious that Pacquiao allowed himself to be used as a popular image of the anti-RH cause even if he is not aware of the RH bill and the issues around it... He is the latest robo-boxer deployed by the CBCP in the heated RH bill debate," said San Pascual.
The best proof of Pacquiao's "overzealousness yet ignorance" over the proposed measure is the presence of a prepared questionnaire during his interpellation with Lagman.
Last Wednesday night, Pacquiao tangled with the leading lawmaker-advocate of the RH bill at the continuation of the House plenary debate over House Bill 4244, and was visibly "taken to school" by the latter after it was exposed that the former did not know many aspects of the bill.
Pacquiao's interpellation came just a day after he paid the CBCP permanent council a visit at their office in Intramuros, Manila, where the boxer-turned-lawmaker reiterated his position to oppose the RH bill.
The CBCP has been the main opponent of the HB 4244, saying it is an anti-life measure since it promotes artificial family planning methods.
However, San Pascual stopped short of urging Pacquiao to review his position on the raging RH bill issue, saying it should be the congressman's call.
"It is up to him (if he will review his stand) but he must take time to study and understand the issues at hand... You are a public servant of your constituents in Saranggani and not a spokesperson of some religious office in Intramuros," said San Pascual.