MANILA, Philippines?Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. Thursday said the city government had no intention of amending or withdrawing a resolution that was unanimously approved by the 26-member city council a few months ago.

Belmonte, a staunch ally of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, said the city government would not be affected by the firm stand of the Cubao diocese against the reproductive health ordinance.

?We respect the Catholic bishops. That?s their religion,? he said.

Belmonte expressed his concern over the experience of Councilor Joseph Juico, who had to change the venue of his wedding after a priest from the Cubao diocese warned him that he would be denied communion if he decided to get married in the diocese.

The mayor said critics of the ordinance should not single out Juico as all the members of the city council had collectively voted to adopt Juico?s draft resolution.

?In fairness to the diocese, I don?t thick Councilor Juico was directly told not to get married in Quezon City. Even the councilor did not tell me such a thing happened,? he said.

Belmonte denied rumors that Ms Arroyo had tried to convince him to recall a controversial ordinance endorsing the use of artificial birth control methods.

?No, the President did not call me. She did not talk to me about it. At no point did she try to discuss that issue with me,? Belmonte replied when asked about Ms Arroyo?s supposed intercession.

?But we don?t oppose the national policy on birth control. Personally, I respect Ms Arroyo?s stand on the matter,? he added.

The mayor said Ms Arroyo had in fact encouraged local government units to pass their own legislation on reproductive health and population control.

?As civic-minded people, we took the challenge to pass the resolution (which we think will benefit) our people,? he told the Philippine Daily Inquirer (parent company of INQUIRER.net).