PRO-LIFE advocates in Cebu said they believe most congressmen will vote against the Reproductive Health bill but they don’t want to be complacent.
Dr. Rene Josef Bullecer, country president of Human Life International, said President Benigno Simeon Aquino III is pushing for the passage of the bill.
The anti-RH bill campaign found a supporter in Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama.
“I have always been a pro-life advocate. Had there been RH law before, your mayor would not have been born,” he said.
Rama is the ninth of 13 siblings. If his parents had practiced birth control, Rama said he would not have been born.
Bullecer warned that Malacanang would use its influence to win back dozens of congressmen.
“We have a crucial battle ahead of us,” Bullecer said in a press conference yesterday.
On Aug. 7, the House of Representatives will decide whether or not to continue the debate on the bill or put the measure to a vote.
“This is a number’s game. Our weapon is prayer,” Bullecer said.
He said most of the congressmen in Cebu are against the RH bill.
Bullecer said Rep. Tomas Osmeña of Cebu City’s south district is pro-RH bill but has decided to abstain due to the request of former congressman Raul del Mar.
He said only Rep. Raymund Mendoza of TUCP party list is undecided.
In case the bill is enacted into law, Bullecer said they will bring the issue to the Supreme Court.
He said they are hoping that the next chief justice would be fair enough to resolve the matter.
Bullecer said the Catholic Church may openly endorse pro-life candidates on November if issues related to the RH bill will worsen.
The Archdiocese of Cebu will hold a prayer march on Saturday as Congress is set to discuss about the controversial bill on August 7.
A “Solidarity March and Mass for Life Against the RH Bill” will start at Fuente Osmeña at around 5:30 pm. /with Correspondent Edison Delos Angeles