Noy still for RH bill – Palace

MANILA, Philippines –  President Aquino has always been for responsible parenthood, Malacañang reiterated yesterday.

We have always been very consistent that his stand was for responsible parenthood,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said.

“His stand was always for responsible parenthood, meaning that the choice is left to the parents after they have all the available information given to them.

“And that they will make the choice according to their personal beliefs. And secondly, that we don’t favor one method over the other.”

Valte also denied that Malacañang had reneged on its promise to include the RH Bill in the scheduled Feb. 28 Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council meeting.

“First, we’d like to clarify that the decision of the President remains the same, responsible parenthood – that has not changed,” she said.

“In the past few days, what actually happened was we have committed to the dialogue with the CBCP. We would like to finish the dialogue first in order for us to take into consideration all the inputs from the dialogue before we can properly craft the draft bill, as we have in other instances. Just to give it the proper attention that it needs.

“As I’ve said, we’re committed to the dialogue and it is prudent for us to finish it first before taking any further action on the matter.”

She would check if RH advocates have made representations with Malacañang for a dialogue, Valte said.

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda has advised Catholic bishops against holding civil disobedience.

“Again, we would urge the (church) hierarchy to still fight it out in Congress,” he said, adding only the consolidated version has been approved on the committee level.

“If they (bishops) believe that they have a strong argument against the reproductive health bill, we ask them to continue to lobby in Congress.

“Let’s be sober in our statements. We have maintained our dialogue with the bishops.”

Lacierda said the government does not intend to curtail the bishops’ freedom of expression.

“We have stated that every person has the constitutional right to air his opinion and to have redress for their grievances,” he said.

Lacierda cautioned members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) against pursuing drastic action against the government. –With Evelyn Macairan, Perseus Echeminada, Delon Porcalla (The Philippine Star)