Filipino Bishops call on voters to uphold sanctity of life

(Nov. 28, 2012) Several Filipino Catholic bishops on Tuesday came out strongly against the controversial Reproductive Health - RH bill, to be introduced in the country. Bishop Martin Jumoad of Isabela de Basilan said the birth control measure is a serious issue that must be dealt with by the Church, by campaigning against those who are favouring the bill. The RH bill would allow for universal access to contraceptives, birth control and intrauterine devices (IUD). The bill would also enforce "sexual education" on children starting at the 5th grade level. Health care services that provide reproductive health, along with health care administrators could face fines or imprisonment, if they refuse to provide services such as tubal ligation and vasectomies. Employers could face the same penalties, if they refuse to provide free services to their employees.
Bishop Jumoad said it is the Church’s moral responsibility to uphold the sanctity of life and they will undertake all efforts to reject, or derail the passage of the RH bill. Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago, a staunch supporter of the RH bill, downplayed the bishops’ call for Catholic voters to reject candidates, who are not following the Church’s teachings. Santiago claimed that the so-called Catholic vote is nothing but a “political myth” but warned that for the Church to push for it is “unconstitutional”. But Archbishop Ramon Arguelles of Lipa said that whether there is a Catholic vote or not, what is certain is they will intensify their campaign against the bill and its proponents and supporters. In South Cotabato, Bishop Dinualdo Gutierrez of Marbel said efforts are also underway in his diocese to campaign against the RH bill .