Prolife groups to discuss tactics vs RH bill

After President Benigno Aquino III made known his support for moves promoting artificial contraception, prolife groups scheduled a meeting to discuss new tactics against the controversial reproductive health (RH) bill. Pro-Life Philippines has scheduled a meeting Wednesday to discuss their next move now that the Aquino administration made official its stand on population control. “A stronger force is needed now against RH bill. President Aquino’s support for birth control is a go signal for RH bill advocates," Pro-Life Philippines president Eric Manalang said in an interview on Church-run Radio Veritas. Excerpts of the interview were posted Wednesday on the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) news site. He said that with Aquino’s pronouncements, they also see the possible passage of the controversial RH bill under the Aquino administration. Manalang vowed they will do everything to block the passage of the bill and would stage protests if Aquino pushed through with his plan to provide contraceptives to the poor. “We will definitely organize and come out strongly and we will be more active in protest. We are not going to allow it even if we have to lie in the street," he said. The CBCP said the meeting was scheduled at 9:30 a.m. at the Quezon City Sports Club. Expected to attend are representatives of other pro-life coalitions such as the Ang Kapatiran party, Buhay party list and Couples for Christ. US hand Meanwhile, a CBCP official accused the United States of having a hand in Aquino’s plan to promote contraception. CBCP Episcopal Commission on Family Life executive secretary Fr. Melvin Castro branded the US government a “dictator" for their own political gains and interests. “I’m certain that the US government had a hand over Aquino’s abrupt decision to support population control," he said in a separate article on the CBCP website. Castro said it is no secret that the US and other foreign nations have tried to pressure the Philippine government for a more aggressive birth control program. He cited the granting of huge foreign funding for the government’s development projects, which he said comes with a price. On Monday, Aquino said his government would provide contraceptives such condoms and pills to poor couples, to curb the Philippines’ high birth rate. “This is clearly a form of colonization of morality. They are imposing their morals on us, disrespecting our own principles and morality," Castro said. He said if the Obama administration is sincere in helping the Filipinos, it should give aid with “no strings attached" and preconditions. “The assistance should be selfless and have no strings attached," he said. The bishops had condemned USAID, the United Nations Population Fund and other international aid agencies for allegedly meddling in Philippine government’s affairs. Castro said the funding goes to the maternal health and population management program, which the government suspended due to strong Church pressure. Foreign funding institutions claimed they are concerned with the fast growth rate of the Philippine population. They believe that it will be difficult for the government to address poverty and achieve sustainable economic growth unless an effective population management measure is implemented. Castro said these agencies are also key players in pressuring the lawmakers to pass the controversial RH bill while linking increased aid to its passage. With Aquino’s support for artificial contraception, the CBCP official admitted being afraid over the passage of the RH bill. “That’s how we look at the situation now," he said. Castro added Aquino was a strong advocate of the measure but kept relatively quiet on the matter during the presidential campaign period. — LBG, GMANews.TV