SAN PEDRO, Laguna ? A labor party-list distributed condoms on Sunday to show its support for the use of contraceptives in managing the country?s population and in fighting poverty and the spread of diseases.

?It is to symbolize our support to the RH (reproductive health) bill,? Ramil Cangayao of the Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) in Southern Tagalog said in a phone interview.

The group led 100 motorcycles and vehicles in a motorcade that went around parts of Cavite, Batangas and Laguna provinces to give away free condoms.

The PM was also responsible for the baskets of condoms delivered to the office of the Catholic Bishops? Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) in Manila during the celebration of the International Women?s Day.

The PM challenged presidential candidates to make a ?categorical stand? supporting the RH bill.

The bill, which promotes the use of both artificial and natural family planning methods, has remained pending in Congress amid the strong opposition of the Catholic Church.

?Candidates, especially the presidentiables, should not fear the supposed clout and negative campaign of pro-life groups for they do not represent the sentiments and votes of the silent majority,? Joy Aguilar, PM-Cavite women coordinator, said in a statement sent to the Inquirer.

Aguilar urged the government to provide the means for natural and artificial family planning that must go together with education on the use of contraceptives in stopping the spread of HIV-AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases; in spacing of children; in preventing unwanted pregnancies, especially among teenagers, among other concerns.

She said a Social Weather Station survey showed that four out of 10 registered voters favored politicians, who backed the RH bill.

The survey, conducted from January 21 to 24, found that support for pro-RH bill candidates was 39 percent among Catholics and 34 percent among non-Catholics.

The condom issue heated up when the Department of Health distributed free condoms to thwart the increase of the human immunodeficiency virus, which leads to AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome). AIDS is a condition in which the body?s immune systems are attacked and weakened, eventually leading to death.

The Catholic Church viewed the government?s actions as a way of promoting promiscuity.

The PM assailed the presidential candidates ?for making vague statements or reversing their previous positions on the RH bill due to the pro-life lobby.?

The group believed the RH bill, if passed, would control the growing population and hence, help the country manage the economy towards solving poverty.

The PM is also campaigning for more jobs, higher wages and affordable housing.