Sen. Sotto responds to Leloy Claudio: 'Mockery does not contribute to an informed choice'

In the interest of fairness, GMA News Online sought the response of Sen. Tito Sotto to the debate challenge and criticism of our blogger Leloy Claudio in his recent post. Sen. Tito Sotto's response: My views regarding the issue of maternal mortality and the Reproductive Health bill itself, as well as the challenge for a debate hurled by Akbayan Youth: 1) The debate on the RH bill is already on the Senate floor and it would be superfluous to engage the Akbayan group to an academic debate outside the Senate hall. Besides, the debate called by the Akbayan Youth, to which I have reserved utmost respect for its ardent support for the RH bill, would be gratuitous, considering our respective opposite positions. 2) Challenging me to an academic debate outside the Senate plenary would be an insult to Senators Miriam Defensor-Santiago and Pia Cayetano, who are both defending the bill. Is Akbayan Youth signifying that they are dissatisfied with how my colleagues Santiago and Cayetano are parrying the legitimate questions I have raised on the RH? 3) Considering our opposite positions, a debate will only end up in a stalemate, which will not contribute to an informed choice and enlightenment. 4) I respect their position on the RH. I have always believed that as a democracy, everyone is entitled to their own opinions, no matter how flawed these are. 5) However, name-calling, sarcasm and mockery do not contribute to an informed choice and enlightened debate. One does not win favor with the other side with name-calling. Those who are liberal with these cheap shots are those who cannot even take a minor scratch. 6) Opinions, laced with venom, reveal our biases and distract from the soundness of arguments. 7) As for maternal mortality, I only sought to validate the claims that there are 11 deaths that occur daily in the Philippines. How did we come up with the figure? Was there a survey? Who conducted the survey and who commissioned it? When and where was the survey or study conducted? How credible was the survey? Was it a guess estimate? These are questions I would like to be enlightened about, considering that the bill will involve the use of public funds. Now, should I be faulted for raising these legitimate questions? Having differing opinions is part of the territory in a democracy, where ideas are shared, debated and assessed, for an informed citizenry. Further, I have already entered into the records of the Senate my stand. 8. Various opinions have been raised regarding the RH bill. I believe that opinions cannot be legislated. All the more if there are suspicious organizations working behind the passage of the bill. Thank you. - GMA News