Palace unmoved by rally vs RH bill

President Benigno Aquino III and Malacañang remain unmoved by the Catholic Church’s show of force when it led a rally against the reproductive health (RH) bill in Manila Friday. In a radio interview Saturday, presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said Aquino is sticking to his position upholding the freedom of each individual to decide on the size of the family. “Klaro sa aming position (na) hindi kami sang-ayon sa abortion. Sa ibang bagay napaliwanag ng pangulo ang position niya. Patuloy ang kanyang paniniwala sa freedom of ... each individual to decide on the size of the family," Lacierda said on government-run dzRB radio. (We made our position clear we are against abortion. As for the other aspects of reproductive health, the President has explained his position, including giving couples the right to decide on the size of the family.) He also said there are no plans by Malacañang to urge its allies in the House of Representatives to have the RH bill placed in the back-burner. “Right now walang ganoong (there is no such) direction. It is with Congress, it is for the legislative to discuss and decide on the RH bill. We understand perfectly it’s a heated matter but again we have to go through the process and ensure all voices should be heard in the particular discussion of the bill," he said. On the other hand, Lacierda said Friday’s rally appeared to be aimed at the House of Representatives, where debates on the bill are being held. “Primarily I think the really was geared towards what is happening in the legislative branch, may (there are) discussions and debates," he said. “As far as the executive branch is concerned, we maintain our five-point position on responsible parenthood," he added. However, he said the Palace respects the right of the Church to hold such rallies, so long as these are peaceful. Also, he said the Palace remains hopeful the Church will engage in peaceful debates on the issue. Last November, Aquino had issued a five-point position on the reproductive health issue, including:

* I am against abortion. * I am in favor of giving couples the right to choose how best to manage their families so that in the end, their welfare and that of their children are best served. * The State must respect each individual's right to follow his or her conscience an religions convictions on matters and issues pertaining to the unity of the family and the sacredness of human life from conception to natural death. * In a situation where couples, especially the poor and disadvantaged ones, are in no position to make an informed judgment, the state has the responsibility to so provide. * In the range of options and information provided to couples, natural family planning and modern methods shall be presented as equally available.

Last Friday, Catholic bishops led a rally against the RH bill, urging legislators to either overhaul the bill or junk it altogether. Police estimated some 40,000 attended the rally. The Catholic Church is against artificial contraception and favors only natural family planning methods. “We respect the decision of the anti-RH forces to voice their position through mass actions. Anyway, the debates are ongoing in the legislative branch)," Lacierda said. On the other hand, Lacierda said there is no plan by the Palace to have its allies in Congress put the RH bill in the back-burner. “We leave it to the legislative process and the wisdom of the members of the House of Representatives," he added. But he said the Palace hopes the Church and its representatives will “continue to engage the legislative on this topic." He also said the Palace will respect the right of the Church to voice its objections through mass actions. “Yan ay karapatan ng Pilipino (That is every Filipino’s right) as long as it is done peacefully," he said. — LBG, GMA News