MANILA, Philippines—Brother Eddie Villanueva has expressed support for the controversial Reproductive Health Bill, a population management measure, now being deliberated in the House of Representatives.

However, Villanueva, leader of the Jesus Is Lord Movement and one-time presidential candidate, called for the removal from the bill of “objectionable provisions” such as those on sex education for children.

“We really need a no-nonsense population policy. However, we should not sacrifice morality. Why not improve this said bill, eliminating undesirable provisions that are offensive to the morality of the Filipino people?” Villanueva said at the House of Representatives late Tuesday afternoon.

Villanueva was at the House to receive a congressional commendation for the JIL Movement’s 30th anniversary. Plenary debates on Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman’s RH Bill were also scheduled that day.

“Personally I’m for responsible parenthood. It is important to address overpopulation but we must not sacrifice morality,” Villanueva said.

“Why not produce (an) excellent, if not perfect measure. The intention (of the bill) is very good. The intention is so noble,” he added.

Villanueva said that he has yet to read the bill entirely but he came across an ad of the Couples for Christ that warned of sex education that will expose children as young as five years old if the RH bill is passed.

“(There) are objectionable provisions. So why not omit these, amend and improve the bill but not sacrifice this landmark legislation aimed to address the root of poverty in this country,” Villanueva said.

“There is reason to oppose those portions because (children who are) five years old will be exposed to sex education,” he added.

Villanueva indicated the need to control what he called the “reckless production of babies.”

“Parents in this country should be educated on family planning. God himself is a God of planning. The Lord is teaching humanity to plan,” Villanueva said.

Villanueva said he was in favor of any method that is “not designed to kill life.”

“I’m against abortion. Abortion per se is murder,” he said.

On the congressional commendation, Villanueva thanked the House of Representatives “in giving glory and honor to our Lord Jesus Christ.”