RH bill foes in Cebu hailed, get papal award

At least 32 personalities from Cebu archdiocese, including lawmakers who opposed the controversial reproductive health (RH) bill, have received an award from Pope Benedict XVI. Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal cited the recipients at a special mass for their "love of the Church and loyalty to the Pope." The Union of Catholic Asian News (UCAN) reported the awardees were given the Papal Cross Award. Pope Leo XIII established the Papal Cross Award in 1888. It is conferred for dedication to Catholic Church teachings. The honors came amid preparations for another round of Congress debates on new versions of the bill. Recipients of the award included Cebu Reps. Pablo Garcia and Eduardo Gullas, former Reps. Raul del Mar and Antonio Cuenco, and former Cebu City Councilor Arsenio Pacana. They received the award alongside priests and lay leaders cited for their contributions to Church work. Rene Bullecer, country director of Human Life International Inc., said the lawmakers had been “steadfast" in opposing the RH bill and had set the tone for congressional debates for the next three years. Opposed heavily by the Catholic Church, the RH bill advocates providing access to both natural and modern family planning methods that are medically safe and legally permissible, among other provisions. Other recipients included former University of San Carlos president Father Roderick Salazar Jr., SVD, University of the Visayas executive vice president Jose Gullas and Department of Education regional director Recaredo Borgonia, who were described as “outstanding educators." Jesuit Fathers Robert Rice and Giovanni Iacono were also cited along with Sister Maria Rosa Magapan from the Daughters of Saint Teresa congregation and Religious of the Virgin Mary Sister Maria Florita Taylaran. Rep. Garcia said he is “happy" with the recognition by the Church, adding he fought the RH bill because he opposes it personally. — LBG, GMANews.TV