Palace to respect bishops’ renewed focus vs RH bill

Malacañang will respect the decision of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines to renew its efforts against the Reproductive Health (RH) bill, now that the controversy over vehicle donations to some bishops has ended. Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte in an interview on dzRB said: “We have been saying this in the past, any advocate is free to make their opinions known to legislators who are dealing with the issue on (the RH bill)." But Valte also brushed aside a reported call by Lipa (Batangas) Archbishop Ramon Arguelles for President Benigno Aquino III to emulate his late mother Corazon in being pro-life. She said President Aquino’s “responsible parenthood" is “not inconsistent" with the pro-life stand of his late mother. “Tingin ko hindi naman inconsistent ang katwiran ni Pangulong Aquino sa responsible parenthood sa position ng kanyang yumaong ina. Yan ay ayon din sa paniniwala ni Pangulong Aquino ang kanyang paninindigan sa responsible parenthood," she said. Earlier, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines said it is resuming its war against the RH bill now that the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office controversy is seemingly over. The CBCP said several anti-RH activities have been lined up, including one before President Aquino delivers his State of the Nation Address on July 25. “The fight against the RH bill continues," outgoing CBCP secretary general Msgr. Juanito Figura said. Last Wednesday, bishops testified before the Senate over supposedly questionable vehicle donations to some of them. The controversy appeared to have drawn to a close when the bishops – one of them apologizing for his lapse in judgment for asking for a vehicle as a “birthday gift" – decided to return the donated vehicles. — LBG, GMA News