Manila, Philippines, Aug 6, 2012 / 23:08 pm
A "reproductive health" bill that would mandate sex education in schools and subsidize contraceptives will be "tragic and catastrophic" for Filipinos if it is passed into law, the Philippines' Catholic bishops said.
The bill advanced in the Philippine Congress on Aug. 6 after 14 years of consideration.
"May God have mercy on our Congress," said Archbishop Angel N. Lagdameo of Jaro, former two-term president of the Philippines' bishops conference.
The vote was originally scheduled for Tuesday but allies of President Benigno Aquino III held the vote Monday at a caucus of Liberal Party leaders and members.