Bishops wary of ‘responsible parenthood’ bill

Catholic bishops on Monday remained wary of the "responsible parenthood" bill being endorsed by the Aquino administration as an alternative to the controversial reproductive health bill. While some bishops want more explanations on responsible parenthood, others directly demanded that the new bill leave out contraceptives. “It is not in the name. If you have a good name but the contents would be a rehash of the RH bill, then, definitely the Church will reject," said Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines secretary general Juanito Figura in an article posted Monday night on the CBCP news site. The Catholic Church has been vocal against the use of artificial contraception, which the reproductive health bill pending in Congress allows. Instead, the Catholic Church wants only natural methods of family planning. Pampanga Archbishop Paciano Aniceto said it is not the name that matters but the content of the measure. “He (Aquino) should really explain what he means by responsible parenthood," said Aniceto, who chairs the CBCP Commission on Family and Life. For his part, Antipolo Bishop Gabriel Reyes said the government must exclude in its responsible parenthood bill the provisions opposed by the church. “[The principle of] responsible parenthood does not include artificial contraceptives," he said. Sign of weakness At the Senate, Sen. Vicente "Tito" Sotto III said President Benigno Aquino III’s decision to create a responsible parenthood bill shows the inferiority of the reproductive health bill. “[It’s a] sign of weakness... probably they are starting to realize that what they are proposing is not feasible or is not right," Sotto told reporters in an interview. Aquino last week ordered his Cabinet to draft a responsible parenthood bill based on the reproductive health bills filed in Congress and the suggestions of the religious sector. Sotto said this could mean that the President reviewed the reproductive health bill and found it unconstitutional. “Alam nilang hindi tama (They knew it’s wrong)." Earlier, former senators Joey Lina and Francisco “Kit" Tatad said some of the provisions of the reproductive health bill violate the 1986 Constitution, particularly Articles II Section 12; II Section 15; III Section 1; and XV Section 15. Article II section 12 states, “The State shall equally protect the life of the mother and the life of the unborn from conception," while article II section 15 says that, “The State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them." On the other hand, article III section 1 states that “No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law, nor shall any person be denied the equal protection of the laws" while article XV section 3 (1) says, that “The State shall defend the right of spouses to found a family in accordance with their religious convictions and the demands of responsible parenthood." Unnecessary bill Sotto asked why the Palace was so insistent on making such a policy through legislation. “It is not necessary. All the President has to do is tell the Department of Health (DOH) to enhance their program," he said. The Catholic Church, which supports only “natural" family planning methods for married couples, has consistently opposed the use and state provision of artificial birth control methods like condoms and birth control pills. Aquino, however, said the couples would be in the “best position to determine what is best for their family" and the methods that they can use. Since then, the Palace and the Catholic Church have been engaging in talks regarding the issue. PNoy firm on stand Health Secretary Enrique Ona, who was at the Senate for a committee hearing, said Aquino’s decision to create the responsible parenthood bill does not mean that he wavered in his position to let couples decide on what method they want to use. “Absolutely not. As a matter of fact, it’s just a reiteration of what the position of the administration which is responsible parenthood, giving all the families the necessary options, knowledge and choices without any coercion, without any targeting of a specific population growth," he told reporters on Monday. He also contradicted Sotto, saying there is a need for legislation when instituting such policies. Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago’s has filed Senate Bill No.2378 or “An Act Providing for a National Policy on Reproductive Health and Population and Development." Under it, the state shall guarantee universal access to medically safe, legal, affordable, and quality reproductive health services, methods, devices, supplies, and relevant information on the matter. In the House of Representatives, at least six bills related to the reproductive health issue are also pending. - with Kimberly Jane Tan/KBK, GMANews.TV