Presidential wannabes backing RH bill lauded

MANILA, Philippines—A group pushing for the passage of the Reproductive Health (RH) bill on Tuesday called on presidential aspirants for the 2010 election to keep their commitment in supporting a reproductive health program amid a strong lobby from the influential Catholic church.

The Philippine Legislators Committee on Population and Development (PLCPD) Foundation said that Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III of the Liberal Party (LP), Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro of the administration’s Lakas-Kampi-Christian Muslim Democrats (CDM) and Senator Francis Escudero of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) have expressed their view that the government should have a clear and comprehensive reproductive health program.

“We are happy to note that despite threats from some close-minded oppositionists, Senator Aquino, Secretary Teodoro and Senator Escudero remain vocal on their support on the issue,” said Ramon San Pascual, PLCPD executive director.

“We also urge these candidates to remain firm, especially in the coming days as we are sure that the Catholic Church will stage a shock campaign to make them backtrack on their support,” San Pascual said in a statement.

San Pascual’s group is among the supporters of House Bill 5043 or the Reproductive Health and Population Development Act of 2009, set for plenary discussion in the House of Representatives when Congress resumes session on November 9.

Speaker Prospero Nograles has formed two panels composed of lawmakers who would debate on the floor to hasten its approval.

The bill advocates for the use of both artificial and natural means of family planning as one of the measures to curb population growth and protect the health of mothers and children.

Some church groups and pro-life organizations have warned that they would not back presidential aspirants who support the RH bill.

“It is frustrating that because of this, some so-called pro-life Catholic leaders resort to political blackmailing and harassment on the presidential candidates, who as the election period draws near, they may think as vulnerable,” San Pascual said.

“We understand that people will not vote based on a single issue, but we believe that a strong political will to go against the whim of one sector for the greater good, is a trait needed if we want to see a more progressive Philippines,” he added.

PLCPD, Linangan ng Kababaihan, Democratic Socialist Women of the Philippines, the Philippine Center for Population and Development and the Forum for Family Planning and Development are just few of the support groups backing House Bill 5043 and its counterpart at the upper chamber, Senate Bill 3122. –Lira Dalangin-Fernandez, INQUIRER.net