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 .