Aquino retreats on population, FOI bills

BARELY an hour after he was proclaimed president-elect, Benigno Simeon Aquino III distanced himself from imposing a national policy on two major issues: reproductive health and freedom of information.

In a press conference immediately after his proclamation Wednesday, Aquino said he would not impose a national policy on population management, a goal of the reproductive health bill that he co-authored.

Instead of supporting the bill, Aquino, a bachelor at 50, said he would push for responsible parenthood and tap the Church to conduct seminars that would produce responsible parents.

Supporters of the reproductive health bill say its passage is critical, with the country’s population standing at 94 million and expected to reach 100 million in three years.

Unchecked population growth, particularly among the poor, would hurt development efforts, the supporters of the bill say.

A pre-election survey showed that 87 percent of Filipinos, including 72 percent who were Catholic, said they wanted the reproductive health bill passed.

But the incoming president said he would push for responsible parenthood and tap the Church to conduct seminars to help mold the country’s conscience and to produce responsible parents.

‘‘The state has no right to declare how many children they can have or how to plan their families,’’ Aquino said.

“We want to remind parents that they are responsible for every child that they would bring on earth. I made that clear several times during the campaign and I would stand by it.’’

The Catholic Church opposes the bill and has threatened to withdraw support from politicians supportint it.

Aquino also invoked the Constitution in refusing to impose a national policy on the freedom of information bill, which the House of Representatives killed this week.

Instead of showing outright support for the bill, Aquino said, he would consult his lawyers to see if he could certify it as urgent.

“I want to follow the Constitution religiously,’’ Aquino said.

“I believe there are requirements if we could certify some bills as urgent like if there are calamities… I am sorry I don’t have the Constitution with me, but there are requirements.”

The freedom of information bill seeks to grant citizens and the media easy access to public documents.

The Senate ratified the bill and Aquino supported its ratification, but the House failed to ratify it.

The reproductive health bill, on the other hand, reached plenary debates and was passed on second reading, but debates were halted under pressure from Catholic bishops, who warned supportive politicians they would suffer the consequences.

Aquino had agreed to be a co-author of the reproductive health bill. –Christine F. Herrera, Manila Standard Today