2 groups endorse 15 pro-reproductive health bill senatorial bets

MANILA, Philippines – Two non-government organizations are urging Filipinos to vote for candidates who favor the reproductive health bill.

The Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development Foundation, Inc. (PLCPD) and the Philippine NGO Council on Population, Health and Welfare, Inc. (PNGOC) have endorsed the candidacy of 15 senatorial candidates “based on their support to reproductive health and family planning policies.”

The 15 candidates are Nereus Acosta (Liberal Party); JV Bautista (Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino), Muntinlupa Rep. Ruffy Biazon (LP); Sen. Pia Cayetano (Nacionalista Party); Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago (Nacionalista Party); Sen. Jinggoy Estrada (PMP); and Akbayan Rep. Risa Hontiveros (LP); Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (NP); Gabriela Rep. Liza Maza (NP); Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo (NP); former Cavite Rep. Gilbert Remulla (NP); Atty. Adel Tamano (NP); Martin Bautista (LP); former broadcaster Kata Inocencio (Bangon Pilipinas) and Yasmin Busran Lao (LP). PLCPD executive director Dr. Eden Divinagracia said the groups chose the candidates based on these criteria: authorship of the reproductive health bill, media and public pronouncements supportive of reproductive health and family planning, and a proven track record in championing these issues and the reproductive health or RH bill.

“We call on other reproductive health advocates to support these candidates, who despite the threats from some leaders of the Catholic church, have remained firm on their stand to fight for the rights of women and to uplift the lives of Filipino families in general,” said Divinagracia.

A survey done by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) from Jan. 21 to 24 found that 38 percent of registered voters will vote for candidates who favor the reproductive health bill and only six percent saying they will vote for those who oppose it.

Catholic Church leaders and some pro-life groups have appealed to voters not to choose the candidates who are pushing for the RH bill.

House Bill 5043, otherwise known as “The Reproductive Health, Responsible Parenthood, and Population Development Act of 2008,” makes artificial contraceptives more accessible to the public through health programs and calls for sex education in schools, among others.

The House of Representatives has shelved the Church-opposed reproductive health bill. The bill was supposed to be debated in the plenary, the closest it has ever gotten to being passed in its 23-year existence.   –Helen Flores (The Philippine Star)