MANILA, Philippines?Just as cigarette labels warn of health risks, condom packets should contain a warning that they may not be an effective tool against the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), a Roman Catholic bishop said Tuesday.

Archbishop Ramon Arguelles of Lipa City in Batangas made the suggestion as he pointed out that since condoms at times fail to protect against pregnancy, they could also fail to stop the transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus or HIV, which causes AIDS.

?It is the right of consumers, whether Catholics or not, to be informed of condom failure,? Arguelles said in a message texted to reporters.

?Just like 'Smoking is Dangerous For Your Health,' there must be a government warning: 'Condoms May Fail to Protect From AIDS,'? he added.

His suggestion came in the wake of the brouhaha over the Department of Health's distribution of free condoms last week just in time for Valentine's Day.

The DOH distributed the prophylactics as part of its campaign to stem the spread of HIV-AIDS.

Catholic clergymen protested the condom distribution, saying that it promotes promiscuity. They said the DOH could help stem the spread of the disease by boosting the Church's campaign to get the youth to practice abstinence.