CBCP: More lawmakers against RH bill passage

MANILA, Philippines – The number of legislators who are opposed to the passage of the controversial reproductive health bill is continuously increasing, an official of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said.

In an interview with Church-run Radyo Veritas, Father Melvin Castro, executive secretary of CBCP-Episcopal Commission on Family and Life, said several pro-life groups and the Catholic Church is confident of the growing numbers of lawmakers against the proposed measure.

Meanwhile, Castro said the CBCP would be conducting regional gatherings and forums on the objections of the Church against the RH bill.

He said it would help in the information dissemination and persuade people to oppose the proposed statute in Congress.

The series of forums will be held in Northern, Central and southern Luzon and Bicol region as well as in Mindanao and the Visayas.

The events will be simultaneously held with a rosary prayer for President Benigno Aquino III in changing his stance on the issue.

President Aquino has earlier expressed support for the passage of the bill.

For his part, Pro-Life Philippines president Eric Manalang said a rosary vigil will also be held three hours every day outside the Quiapo Church in Manila.

The Catholic Educators Association of the Philippines will be joining the rosary vigil, Manalang said.

“Karagdagang “awareness” sa publiko ang layunin ng pagsasagawa nito hinggil sa mariing pagtutol ng Simbahang Katolika sa mga anti-life bills na isinusulong sa kamara,” he said. –Dennis Carcamo (philstar.com)