Church to actively campaign vs pro-RH bill politicians

The Catholic Church will campaign actively against politicians, especially in the northern part of Metro Manila, who are promoting the controversial Reproductive Health (RH) bill as it vowed to discourage people from voting those who are incompetent and lacking in moral principles.

Caloocan Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez, chairman of the public affairs committee of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), stressed, however, they would not need to be particular as to who they will campaign for or against in the coming May 10 polls.

“As we always do, we will only serve as guides to the people so that they will have clearer view and knowledge of who they should elect in May 10 elections,” the prelate told Tribune during a phone conversation over the weekend.

The church, which has been advocating abstinence to control population, has opposed the pending measure in Congress as it promotes the use of contraceptives like condoms in family planning.

The Caloocan bishop hinted the church’s official backing in the coming elections will only be given to those who oppose the maternal health care bill.

He said they will urge the Catholic faithful not to elect pro-RH bill bets as he believed that it was not morally permissible to vote for “anti-life” politicians.

House Bill 5043 wants hormonal contraceptives, intrauterine devices (IUD), injectables and other products declared “essential medicines” and available over the counter.

Iñiguez said it would be equally important that the people should look for candidates who are competent and have proven track record in government service.

“We will be really active in serving as moral guides for the faithful, including here in Camanava (Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela) area so that they can be able to choose candidates who are competent and have moral principles,” the prelate said, adding the CBCP will be involved in informing and educating the people about poll computerization.

Meanwhile, Iñiguez maintained they (Catholic bishops) would not endorse any particular candidate, saying the same has been the position of the CBCP.

He believed the move of Lipa (Batangas) Archbishop Ramon Arguelles and Bacolod Bishop Vicente Navarra to support the presidential bid of John Carlos de los Reyes in the May 10 elections was personal and should be respected since it was not a CBCP decision and “it would not change the position of the conference.”

The Caloocan prelate said the church being a symbol of unity should be non-partisan even if some think it was not realistic.

Quoting the CBCP’s official position on government officials as well as candidates for May 10 national and local elections, Iñiguez said it would support what is good and criticize what is wrong and immoral. –Arlie O. Calalo, DAily Tribune