Bishops: Noynoy may 'lose votes' due to RH stance

The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) is taking its war against the controversial reproductive health bill pending in Congress to the electorate. In new election guidelines, the bishops warned presidential frontrunner Sen. Benigno Aquino III that he could lose votes with his pro-RH stance. In an article on its Web site, the CBCP said the candidacies of pro-RH bill politicians - especially survey leader Aquino (Liberal Party) - would suffer if Catholics would seriously take the call from church leaders not to vote for those favoring RH bill. “Presidential survey front runner Senator Benigno Aquino is likely to lose major votes if Catholics will seriously take a call from their church leaders not to vote for candidates supporting birth control," the CBCP article read. The bishops may be overstating their influence over this issue, as survey after survey by the Social Weather Stations showed that the vast majority of Filipino respondents support the reproductive health bill. But like the candidates, the bishops have until May 10 to convince the voters to see things their way. The call against pro-RH bill candidates has topped the guidelines of Catholic bishops for the 2010 elections. The CBCP said voters who would elect pro-RH bill candidates would become willing accomplices to "evil." “It would not be morally permissible to vote candidates who support anti-family policies, including reproductive health, or any other moral evil such as abortion, divorce, assisted suicide and euthanasia," the CBCP said. “Otherwise one becomes an accomplice to the moral evil in question," it added.

Pro-RH bill aspirants Aside from Aquino, other presidential aspirants who have openly voiced their support to the RH bill are Gilberto Teodoro Jr. (Lakas-Kampi-CMD) and former President Joseph Estrada (United Opposition). Teodoro had once said that even if he catches the ire of the Catholic church, it would not deter his support for the controversial measure. Presidential hopefuls who are against the bill are Olongapo Councilor John Carlos (JC) de los Reyes (Ang Kapatiran), Senator Manuel Villar Jr. (Nacionalista Party), and Bro. Eduardo "Eddie" Villanueva (Bangon Pilipinas). Sen. Richard Gordon (Bagumbayan) and Nicanor Perlas (independent) had expressed reservations about some provisions of the controversial measure. Despite the church leadership's persistent campaign against reproductive health, which is short for family planning programs that include artificial contraceptives, Filipinos of reproductive age who have been surveyed have persistently said they support the Reproductive Health Bill. The latest was conducted in Cebu last July and found that 78 percent of men and women of reproductive age support the bill. An even higher percentage, 84 percent, believe that youths should be given access to family planning information and services. Previous surveys done in Manila, Paranaque, and Bohol all revealed similar findings. Guiding voters The CBCP's election guidelines were a product of the national gathering of the CBCP Episcopal Commission on Family and Life’s (ECFL) directors and lay coordinators last Nov. 30 in Antipolo City. It was formally released to the public only this week after the material went through Bishop Odchimar for final approval. The 20-page guidelines underscore the church’s position on “family and life issues," which is how the Catholic hierarchy refers to the debate over RH bill. ECFL executive secretary Fr. Melvin Castro said the initiative was aimed at ensuring the voters would choose the “right candidates" who will lead the country. He said a candidate’s position on RH bill, which the church had tried to block, mirror’s his or her stand on life and family. “[From] there, we can deduce their positions on other issues," said Castro. He, however, clarified the catechism for the 2010 polls was made only to serve as a guide for the faithful and a course of action. He said when casting their votes, Filipinos must consider social interest over self interest, and decide guided by moral principles. - KBK/HGS, GMANews.TV