Escudero: RH issue should not be basis for poll

SENATOR Francis “Chiz” Escudero said that the issue on the controversial Reproductive Health (RH) law should not be a basis for the May 13 elections.

Escudero made the reaction amid the controversy on the RH issue which is the reason of the Diocese of Bacolod in posting the controversial 'Team Patay and Team Buhay' tarpaulin at the wall of the San Sebasian Cathedral which draw a lot of controversies.

Escudero's name was not included among the senatorial candidates whose names were put either in 'Team Patay' or 'Team Buhay.'

In an interview with Mercado Publiko radio program on Friday, Escudero explained that there are candidates who are backing the RH bill, but have good performance in their respective duties and are very much qualified for the public office they are seeking for while there are also candidates who are anti-RH but have poor performance in their duties.

He said the issue on RH should not be the only basis for election.

Bacolod Commission on Elections (Comelec) officer lawyer Mavil Majarucon Sia said that she was advised by Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. to come to Manila in March 19 during the presentation of oral arguments of the Diocese of Bacolod and the Comelec on the petition filed by the church against the Comelec ordering them to remove the controversial tarpaulin displayed in San Sebastian Cathedral.

The highest tribunal issued a temporary restraining order (TRO)in favor of the church.

Majarucon said that the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) is set to defend the Comelec before the SC on the ground that the posting of the 'Team Buhay and Team Patay' tarpaulin is a violation of the Comelec guidelines on the allowable size of Comelec campaign materials.

The church, through its lawyer Ralph Sarmiento, invokes the Freedom of Expression and the Separation of the Church and the State. Sarmiento said that the tarpaulin is just an expression of the church on its advocacy against the RH bill.

Majarucon said that she was advised to be there in March 19, in case the OSG needs some clarification from her during the oral arguments. (Teresa D. Ellera)