Lea Salonga, ex-health chief lead protest vs ban on sale of contraceptives

MANILA, Philippines — (UPDATE 2) Broadway star Lea Salonga and former Health Secretary Esperanza Cabral led residents of a posh village in Metro Manila’s southern portion and Reproductive Health bill advocates in a demonstration calling for the scrapping of an ordinance banning the sale of contraceptives, according to reports culled by INQUIRER.net

Residents of Ayala Alabang are protesting the proposed implementation of Barangay Ordinance 1.

In an interview with Radyo Inquirer, Salonga said she was affected personally because she was a resident of Ayala Alabang. “I am proud to be part of a rally like this,” she said.

Salonga said that the ordinance banning the sale of contraceptives in their area without a doctor’s prescription violated the private rights of citizens. “Wala namang may pakialam dapat sa nangyayari sa ating mga [No one can interfere on what’s happening in our] bedrooms.” she said.

Salonga said that barangay (village) officials passed the ordinance because of their own personal and religious stand regarding the RH bill. “This ordinance is like pushing a religious belief among a very diverse group of residence.” She said.

She said that the village has families with different religious beliefs, who came from different countries and their rights should be respected.

She also said that there were more present concerns that affected everyone in the village that the officials should be working on.

“It is time for people to realize that each of us has different beliefs” Salonga said speaking in Filipino.

For the report, listen to Radyo Inquirer, DZIQ 990.