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Golez bill seen to 'nullify' controversial RH measure


Catholic bishops are inclined to support a newly filed bill in the House of Representatives that they believe will nullify the controversial reproductive health bill. House Bill 13, filed by Parañaque Rep. Roilo Golez, was lauded as complying with Catholic Church teachings, Lipa Archbishop Ramon Arguelles said. “I’ve already urged House Representatives from Batangas to support the bill... (It) is in line with Church teachings on when life begins," Arguelles said in an article posted Wednesday night on the Union of Catholic Asian News website. Arguelles, a member of the CBCP Episcopal Commission on Family and Life, said he believes it “will nullify another reproductive health bill," which the CBCP opposed for allegedly allowing the use of contraception. Golez's bill will “boost the protection of unborn children," he said, adding that most bishops are happy with the proposed law. The bill looks to go further than existing legislation protecting fetuses by specifically recognizing that human life exists when a sperm first penetrates the egg. Golez filed the bill titled “Protection of the Unborn Child Act 2010" at the House of Representatives on July 1. He outlined what the proposed new law would entail to bishops at a session of their plenary assembly last July 11. "I explained to bishops at their closed-door session that the bill recognizes fetuses as human beings from the moment of conception. They are therefore entitled to a human’s right to life, safety and protection, before they reach and while they are in the womb," Golez said. His bill mandates that the state protect the unborn child from any form of abortion. If it becomes law, violators could be imprisoned for up to six months and/or fined up to P50,000 ($1,100). The bill upholds parental rights over a pregnant minor, superseding the state’s right related to safety, protection and welfare of the mother-to-be and her unborn child. - RJAB Jr/KBK, GMANews.TV

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