In latest debate, presidential wannabes play it safe on RH issue

On the eve of the official start of the campaign period for national posts, several presidential aspirants still could not categorically state whether or not they are in favor of the controversial Reproductive Health (RH) bill now pending in Congress. The influential Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) had earlier urged voters not to support pro-RH bill candidates, saying the proposed measure, once enacted into law, would promote promiscuity especially among the youth. Sen. Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Aquino III (Liberal Party), who has been leading presidential surveys, said in a debate organized by the Philippine Daily Inquirer that he was open to consultation with all sectors regarding the issue on the separation of the Church and state. “Tayo po'y open makinig, consultation sa lahat ng sector, lalo na po yung naapektuhan ng anumang panukala, polisya, programa o batas. Sa tulong po non, bilang pangulo kelangan po natin magdesisyon, magdedesisyon po tayo ayun sa ating sinumpaang tungkulin na panindigan po at dependahan ang ating Saligang Batas," Aquino said. (We are open to consultations with all the sectors that will be affected by whatever policy, program, or law. With that, I will make my decision as president in accordance with the Constitution.) Aquino did not say he was against artificial contraceptives, but said he is questioning the allotment of a budget for government purchase. “Tama po na bigyan natin ng pagkakataon na malagay sa kanilang konsensya ang gumamit ng artificial means pero at the same time may horror story po na baka pilitin, lokohin, i-mislead sa paggamit nito," he added. (It is only right to inform the public of the option to use artificial means of contraception, but at the same time they might be forced, fooled, or misled into using it.) Gilberto Teodoro Jr. (Lakas-Kampi-CMD) maintained his “softened" stance on the issue, saying the government should respect the personal choice of couples when it comes to reproductive health. Consensus “I believe that for every policy, especially one as controversial or as close to the heart as one of reproductive health, you have to work with a consensus," he said. “The problem is population management yet the debate is focused on whether or not the RH bill is the proper response." Olongapo City councilor JC Delos Reyes (Ang Kapatiran) said he was “all for maternal health," but maintained that he was against modern contraceptives because many “modern contraceptives are abortifacients." “I am all for what the reproductive health bill advocates... but to copy it from development agencies that impose it on us, from the national level down to the local level, under the total integrated development approach, to bring in sex education for our children, I am not for it," said Delos Reyes. He said maternal health could be improved with increased medical facilities and personnel. Bro. Eddie Villanueva of the Jesus is Lord Movement said he was “for sound family planning, responsible parenthood without violating the morality of our society." The RH bill's push for both natural and artificial contraceptives has been slammed by the Catholic Church, which espouses only natural family planning methods. Catholic leaders claim that the proliferation of artificial contraceptives would give rise to immorality and promiscuity, and have even advised Catholics not to vote for candidates supporting the measure. Despite the church leadership's persistent campaign against the RH bill, 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, believes that youths should be given access to family planning information and services. Previous surveys done in Manila, Parañaque, and Bohol all revealed similar findings. - KBK, GMANews.TV