Cebu protesters to walk barefoot vs RH bill

Pro-life groups will walk barefoot for three kilometers in Cebu City on March 19 to dramatize their stand against the controversial reproductive health (RH) bill. According to an article posted on the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) news site on Facebook, the walk, dubbed “Penitential Walk for Life," will be held from the Cebu Provincial Capitol to Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral. “Thousands of rosary and candle-bearing Catholics are expected to join the prayerful protest against the demonic RH bill," said Rene Josef Bullecer, chairman of the Cebu City Anti-Indecency Board and the Philippine representative to Vatican City for the Pontifical Council for Life. The organizers said the demonstration aims to press lawmakers to reject the RH bill, which they branded as a "birth control measure." Several dioceses in Visayas are also set to show their forces in rallies to show their indignation against the RH bill. On March 11, pro-life advocates will also hold a protest rally in Tagbilaran City (Bohol) and in Maasin City (Southern Leyte) the following day. Jaro (Iloilo) Archbishop Angel Lagdameo said they will also hold a mass action in Iloilo City on March 17. In Mindanao, meanwhile, anti-RH bill groups are also preparing a huge rally in Butuan City on March 22. In Manila, Pro-Life Philippines is organizing an interfaith rally on March 25 with Muslims, Baptists, Evangelicals, Catholics and other religions at the Mendiola Bridge. Pro-Life Philippines president Eric Manalang said groups under the Council of the Laity of the Philippines and other family and life ministries of all the dioceses in Metro Manila are joining the protest. On March 26, the Knights of Columbus, a fraternal organization of Catholic men, will also hold a “March for Life" at the Rahaj Sulaiman Park in Malate, Manila; and simultaneously by other members in other dioceses nationwide.– VVP, GMA News