Wednesday, July 23, 2008 Arroyo dared to fully reject RH bill
PRO-life advocates on Tuesday challenged President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to reject totally the anti-life bills pending in Congress as proof that she is really for the promotion of life.
"What we want to hear from our beloved President is the total rejection of the reproductive health (RH) bill," said Filipina Ranada, a Pro-life Philippines volunteer, during a press forum in Intramuros, Manila.
Ranada asked the President to include this stand in her upcoming State of the Nation Address (Sona) on Monday.
"Although we know that the President is against abortion, we still doubt the President's stand on the family planning issue," she said.
Should President Arroyo turn her back at them, Ranada said this will not prevent them from pushing for the scrapping of the reproductive health bill.
Former senator Francisco Tatad, for his part, urged lawmakers to junk the controversial bill and draft a new one that will properly address women's health and poverty.
"We can help draft a new bill addressing the issue of women's health and poverty," he said.
Tatad, an Opus Dei, is a board member of the International Rights Life Federation (IRLF) based in the United States.
Meanwhile, Pampanga Archbishop Paciano Aniceto clarified that they are not against the people behind the measure but the bill itself.
"We are not condemning anybody here but we are against the bill not against a congressman as a human person. We are all brothers and sisters," Aniceto said.
He said they respect every congressman and congresswoman, as he acknowledged their good objective, noting that their approach is different from the church.
"We are not judging anybody here it's a matter of principle. But this is the stand of the church," he said.
Monsignor Meliton Oso of the archdiocese of Jaro, Iloilo said he is willing to dialogue with Iloilo Representative Janette Garin on the issue.
Oso said they are not closing their doors to the congresswoman especially since they heard that the legislator has already expressed her willingness to have a discussion with the church.
"If she wants to talk to us, we are also willing to talk with her," he said.
He added that Garin is welcome to attend the anti-life rally on July 24. "This is for everybody. The invitation is for the general public, even for non-Catholics who believe in the principle of pro-life movement," he said. (MSN/FP/Sunnex)
