Gov’t, CBCP lay down dialogue framework

REPRESENTATIVES FROM the government and Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) met Friday to lay down the framework for dialogues on reproductive health.

“We made it very clear to them [CBCP representatives] that the five-point statement of the President on his position on responsible parenthood stands,” presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda told reporters in Malacanang.

He said the five points of President Benigno S. C. Aquino III insofar as reproductive health is concerned are:
* I am against abortion.
* I am in favor of giving couples the right to choose how best to manage their families so that in the end their welfare and that of their children are best served.
* The state must respect each individual’s right to follow his or her conscience and religious conviction on matters and issues pertaining to the unity of the family and the sacredness of human life from conception to natural death.
* In a situation where couples, especially the poor and the disadvantaged are in no position to make an informed judgment, the state has the responsibility to so provide.
* In the range of options and information provided to couples, natural family planning and modern methods shall be presented as equally available.

Friday’s meeting followed an initial dialogue last October. Other meetings have been tentatively scheduled between Dec. 7 and 15.

CBCP was represented by Imus Bishop Luis Antonio G. Tagle, Bishop Socrates B. Villegas and Monsignor Juanito S. Figura, while the government side was represented byMr. Lacierda, Health Secretary Enrique T. Ona and Presidential Management Staff chief Julia R. Abad. — Ana Mae G. Roa, Businessworld