‘RH bill supporters courting neophyte congressmen’

MANILA, Philippines – Organizations and legislators supporting the Reproductive Health (RH) bill have reportedly been courting neophyte congressmen to support the passage of the proposed law by bringing them to seminars in exclusive places in Central Luzon.

Fr. Melvin Castro, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines-Episcopal Commission on Family and Life (CBCP-ECFL) executive secretary, said yesterday he received information that old-timer congressmen and the RH groups invited first-time lawmakers to attend a seminar shortly after the 15th Congress convened last July 26.

“It has been reported to us that two weekends ago, there was a seminar somewhere in Central Luzon for the new legislators, convincing them to support the RH bill. They should not do that, if it is true that they are lobbying (for the RH bill) then they should not bring them to seminars in exclusive places,” he said.

Castro said the strategy is to really use their money to push for the bill. “These lobby groups have lots of money and they can afford the legislators. They promise them a lot of things just to get their support.”

He said he is hoping that the pro-RH groups would give the correct facts on the issue to the new congressmen.

“We appeal to these congressmen and women, it is okay if they just want to listen to them but in the end let them follow their conscience and the Filipino culture,” he said.

The Catholic Church is against the passage of the RH bill and want the neophyte congressmen to support House Bill 13 of Parañaque Rep. Roilo Golez that aims to safeguard pregnant women and their unborn children from abortionists and other means that can imperil their lives.

The CBCP decided to let the bishops talk to the congressmen in their own respective dioceses.

Castro said that since Church officials cannot compete with the pro RH groups in terms of funding, they would just offer prayers for them.

One of the new congressmen whom they are banking on for support is boxing champ Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao.

Fr. Castro also slammed the calls of the New York-based Center for Reproductive Rights to legalize abortion under specific circumstances, such as when the pregnancy is a result of a rape or incest, fetal impairment and when it puts the life of the mother in danger.

“It is against the Constitution so how can they advocate for the legalization of abortion without amending the Constitution? This is a challenge especially to the proponents of the RH bill. They have been pushing for the advance of contraception and reproductive health without abortion. Well, now we are challenging them, if it is true that they area against abortion, then they should reject this abortion and reject the RH bill,” the CBCP official said. –Evelyn Macairan (The Philippine Star)