El Shaddai to rally vs Reproductive Health bill

MANILA, Philippines - The Catholic charismatic group El Shaddai will be gathering on Saturday not just for their regular prayer meeting, but also to discuss the disadvantages of the controversial Reproductive Health bill. An article posted on the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) website on Friday said El Shaddai leader Bro Mike Velarde himself will take the stage in Parañaque City’s Amvel Subdivision to discuss the much-contested measure. "During the ‘Gawain’, our gathering this Saturday, from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. we would be dedicating our fellowship to discussing the RH bill. Bro. Mike would tackle it when he delivers his healing message," said Bro Rey Vargas, El Shaddai head for education, training, and development. "This is to show our oneness with the CBCP," added the El Shaddai official. The Catholic Church is strongly opposing House Bill 5043 or "An Act Providing for a National Policy on Reproductive Health, Responsible Parenthood and Population Development," saying it promotes abortion and immorality. Among the bill’s salient features is the mandatory age-appropriate teaching of reproductive health in schools starting Grade 5 and the purchase of artificial birth control methods by state hospitals. The bill’s main author, Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, however defended the controversial measure in his sponsorship speech before the House plenary Wednesday night. "The use of contraceptives for family planning does not make acceptors bad Catholics. But having more children whom parent can ill-afford to feed, educate, medicate, guide, and love makes them irresponsible regardless of their religion," Lagman said. "We must open our minds to the import and merits of the reproductive health bill and reject contrived criticisms, expose barefaced lies, refute malicious innuendos, and resist menacing threats," Lagman said, adding that the bill does not legalize abortion. Lagman said there is no bias for or against natural or artificial family planning methods in the bill, as "both will be promoted with equal vigor to truly assure freedom of informed choice." - GMANews.TV