Aquino not siding with condom makers – Palace

Malacañang on Saturday dismissed claims by a Manila bishop that President Benigno Aquino III is siding with “multinational condom makers" when he suddenly included the controversial reproductive health (RH) bill in the list of priority measures. Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte laughingly described as “way off the mark" the claims made by Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo. “I think that’s way off the mark. Ang pag-push natin sa Responsible Parenthood is for poverty reduction," Valte said on government-run dzRB radio. According to her, Aquino will continue to support the passage of the measure because of its necessity and timeliness to combat poverty. Aquino had said he was willing to risk excommunication from the Catholic Church for continuing to pursue responsible parenthood. Bishop Pabillo had been quoted as saying Aquino is siding with the big multinational companies that produce condoms and other contraceptives in supporting the RH bill. The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines had twitted Aquino’s inclusion of the RH bill in his administration’s priority measures. Confusion, dismay, distrust Another CBCP official warned of confusion, dismay and mistrust over the Aquino administration’s inclusion of the RH bill in its list of priority legislative measures. Outgoing CBCP secretary general Msgr. Juanito Figura also said there may be “more serious" discussions and study on the supposedly fine-tuned RH bill. “I am a bit worried about possible reactions which may range from confusion, dismay, mistrust," Figura said in an article posted Saturday on the CBCP news site. He also asked if the fine-tuned bill still carries the “characteristic contraceptive pro-abortion agenda" and “advance a new rendering of ‘conscience,’ ‘freedom,’ ‘rights,’ ‘responsible parenthood’ and ‘family.’" “Will it still use a lot of taxpayers’ money? And most importantly, has the penalty clause on violations been truly omitted?" he said. He urged lay people, especially the youth, to “initiate actions, to reach out to everyone who believes in the sanctity of human life and family, to use your skills." “We are in coordination with a number of lay groups that are working along this line and would be willing to help those who would like to start getting involved," Figura said. — LBG, GMA News