Philippines archbishop optimistic ‘reproductive health’ bill will fail to pass
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Manila, Philippines, Sep 5, 2008 / 05:21 am (CNA).- Archbishop Paciano B. Aniceto, a prominent bishop from the Philippines, on Thursday said he is confident the country’s lawmakers will not pass a “reproductive health” bill that recommends a “two-child policy” and funding sterilizations and contraceptive distribution.

The 71-year-old archbishop heads the Archdiocese of San Fernando (Pampanga) and is chairman of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines’ (CBCP) Commission on Family Life, CBCP News reports.

Speaking in an interview with Catholic-run Veritas 846 Radio, he recounted his meeting with pro-life lawmakers at the Philippines’ House of Representatives, where he concelebrated a Mass.

“We asked for God’s blessing and graces that lawmakers be able to discern, pray and listen to their constituents, for them to respect the rights and dignity of their constituents, the majority of whom are Catholics,” the archbishop said, adding he believes that lawmakers will continue to believe in the moral law.

Archbishop Aniceto accused the bill of being anti-poor, claiming that the Philippines’ “human resources” are a great advantage.

“Filipinos are industrious, intelligent, creative, and just give them the opportunity to work and they make themselves productive,” he stated.

The archbishop encouraged Catholic lawmakers to support publicly the pro-life convictions of their faith.

Since they were elected by a great majority of Catholic voters, he said, “It is expected they will listen to their conscience and remember the Ten Commandments.”

He alleged that pharmaceutical companies have backed the lobbyists for the bill, as they expect huge profits from the sale of contraceptives, according to CBCP News.

Further, Archbishop Aniceto claimed  European countries and even the Americas have begun to suffer from a “demographic winter” in which the elderly population significantly outnumbers the younger demographic.

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Subscriber comments:
Published by: Jay
Cebu 10/08/2009 06:02 AM EST
i definitely support the reproductive health bill in the sense that this is what we really need at this very time. this is just for all the people benefits in helping to stop the over population growth.... i really disagree about the catholic church stand about this... i do believe using contraceptives are not sin at all... because there wasn't a baby yet being formed as we try to stop the sperms from uniting the egg cell... the life of a baby wouldn't exist without the union of both.... so there is no life to be kill at all!
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Published by: pentium4quarx
Manila 04/15/2009 01:04 AM EST
I support the Reproductive Health Act because it primarily educates the people on ways to plan a family and avoid unwanted pregnancy through natural and artificial ways. The bill does not impose on the usage of contraceptions, the choice still relies on the individual. Let us admit our problem that majority of the poor needs access to contraception rather than producing children who will not receive basic needs like food, shelter, clothing and education. Let us produce the next generation with quality and not quantity.
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Published by: leng m santos
manila,phils 01/04/2009 07:04 PM EST
The rights and dignity of the people shouldnt be overlooked.
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Published by: Oscar D. Ello
Cagayn de Oro City, Philippines 10/04/2008 05:52 AM EST
The RH Bill should not be passed. If passed into law the recent collaboration of the church on the government's efforts to promote natural family planning will be severed.
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Published by: junabz
philippines 09/30/2008 09:30 AM EST
We are not just fighting here against the legalization of the Reproductive Health Bill... we are also fighting here against the negative consequences that the bill would give should it be legalized. Yet even if it would be legalized, remember that our war is not over yet. For we would continually be fighting against ourselves.. with the values we keep and promote these days. What will happen to our future.. and to our children's future? That is the question that we also have to ask ourselves. The demon can play the angel of light. This Reproductive Health Bill may sound good and helpful. But will it keep us all alive? Will it keep our children, not just alive, but with a fullness of life?
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Published by: jonavel yrogirog
liloan,cebu,phil 09/22/2008 09:27 AM EST
well, this bill has been bewildering our fellowmen nowadays...
i know this bill has pros and cons but then, for my part i go against it..

sorry for those who do want this bill 2 be legalized but..guys...think 4 d future...this bill might be abused by the people...but b4 we go blame ourselves...we better think of an alternative way of solving the extant problems we have in our country today..^^
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Published by: Alicia Reyes
Philippines 09/21/2008 10:40 PM EST
Reproductive right, the right to "decide freely on number, spacing timing of their children" grants free license to a woman's right to abort their child, if the child is not correctly "timed", "spaced" and "numbered". Diabolical euphemism for murder and infanticide.
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Published by: glecille ann tamboong
san juan,Philipphines 09/17/2008 11:21 PM EST
RH Bill really curtails the freedom of each people.I thought that the government shall promote to sanctify the lives of every man but in the RH BILL it is really oppose on wht they should do.I hope and pray that government officials will be enlightened!
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Published by: EDSEL P. INOCIAN
CEBU CITY PHILIPPINES 09/17/2008 01:59 AM EST
The Reproductive Health Bill has its own pros and cons. Unfortunately, the advantages outweighs the negative effects. People who act like self righteous should think positively on the impact of the bill when it passed.
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