RH bill opponents hit Aquino push on House vote

OPPONENTS of the Reproductive Health (RH) bill in Cebu yesterday criticized President Benigno Aquino III for trying to force a vote in Congress, warning that the incoming storm is a sign of divine intervention against the measure.

“I really pity the pro-RH congressmen, senators and even the president. It just clearly shows that these men are  under pressure from the forces behind the RH Bill,” said Dr. Rene Josef Bullecer, Human Life International director.

Bullecer said the president and lawmakers who support the RH bill are being influenced by international lobbyists to pass the measure but “eespite their maneuvers, truth will prevail and the Almighty God will intervene.”

He said the RH Bill is already on its 14th year now, but it has never been enacted into law.

“Every time they want votation, something unusual happens to our country,” Bullecer said.

Last August, a strong rain flooded Manila just as the Lower House convened to deliberate on  the RH bill. Bullecer said anti-RH forces in Manila are mobilizing prayer brigades.

The Catholic Church is opposes modern family planning  methods like  pills, injectables, condoms, ligation, and vasectomy.

The  RH   bill  or the Responsible Parenthood, Reproductive Health and Population and Development Act of 2011 is a consolidated  bill  awaiting approval from the House of Representative and the Senate.

Cebu Archbishop Emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal earlier said the president has already made up his mind on the RH bill and the Catholic Church would not have to reopen its doors to a dialogue on the issue.

The cardinal said he will submit a list of those who deserve a seat in government in next year’s elections.

Those in favor of the RH bill may likely not get the endorsement of the Church which has been considered a very influential sector in the country.