FILE PHOTO: Vice President Leni Robredo
MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Leni Robredo said she is against abortion but she is also open to discussions on decriminalizing it as she admitted being “very conflicted” on the matter.
“This is a topic that I’m very conflicted about…I was a member of an NGO (non-governmental organization) na talagang tinutulak ‘yung pag-decriminalize ng abortion para naiiwasan ‘yung unsafe na mga ginagawa (that is really pushing for the decriminalization of abortion to prevent unsafe practices),” Robredo said during the 2022 Presidential One-On-One Interviews with Boy Abunda that premiered on Wednesday.
“The reason why I’m so conflicted about it kasi ako (is because) my faith teaches me na bawal talaga ‘yung [pumatay] (that we should not kill)…My faith tells me that abortion is not to be allowed,” she added.
“While I’m open to discussing decriminalizing [abortion], [but] if you ask me now if I am for or against it, I am against abortion,” she likewise stressed.
She noted that abortion is only allowed in the Philippines if the pregnancy endangers the life of the mother. This rule, she said, should continue.
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“Kung endangered ‘yung life ng mother, ina-allow [it is allowed] in very rare instances and I think that should continue…But having said that, ako, kontra ako sa abortion pero sakin bukas ako pagusapan ‘yung (me, I am against abortion but I am open to talk about the) decriminalization ng (of) abortion,” the vice president said.
‘Underground’
Further, she said she would like to have discussions with “more people” regarding the subject of abortion, recognizing that many Filipino women have no choice but to resort to means that end up being unsafe for them.
“Mahirap ‘yung balancing act kasi ‘pag nakita natin ‘yung ipinaglalaban ng mga sumusulong sa decriminalization ng abortion, meron naman silang dahilan. Kasi ‘pag bawal kasi nagiging underground siya eh. And ‘pag nag-underground siya, mas unsafe,” Robredo, who is a candidate for president in the May elections, said.
(It’s a hard balancing act because if you talk to those who are pushing for the decriminalization of abortion, they have their reasons. Because if you won’t allow it, women resort to underground means. If it’s underground, it’s more unsafe.)