MANILA, Philippines—A staunch critic of the administration Monday lauded President Benigno Aquino III for endorsing the enactment of a reproductive health bill as the “correct and conscientious thing to do” during the University of the Philippines graduation rites on Sunday.
“The President’s statement that his steadfast commitment to the controversial measure is at the risk of his excommunication is his strongest declaration yet against the Catholic hierarchy’s opposition to the measure,” said Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, minority leader and primary proponent of the reproductive health (RH) bill in the House of Representatives.
“The resolute and courageous stance of the President is a magna cum laude statement which he could elevate to summa cum laude status by categorically certifying to Congress the bill as a priority measure,” Lagman said.
Aquino told the UP graduates he would be pushing for a responsible parenthood bill “even at the risk of excommunication” from the Catholic Church.
The responsible parenthood bill is a watered-down version of the reproductive health, or House Bill No. 4244, authored by Lagman.
Lagman said the allied advocacies for reproductive health and responsible parenthood had the following common salient features: Voluntary family planning based on freedom of informed choice is promoted; and all kinds of family planning methods will be promoted—from the natural to the artificial which are legal, medically safe and effective.
With Aquino’s statement, Lagman sees no hitch in the passage of the bill when Congress resumes sessions in May. Lagman’s bill, which is awaiting plenary action, now has 115 official co-authors.
Oppositors to the bill are stalling for more time. Bacolod Rep. Anthony Golez said the passing of the reproductive health bill “may take a long while” since the proponents had yet to study the Malacañang-sponsored responsible parenthood bill. Manila Rep. Amado Bagatsing said they were not prepared to interpellate the proponents on the floor until Congress reopens on May 9.
Malacañang said it would resume its dialogue with the Catholic bishops on the matter after the Holy Week break. With a report from Christine O. Avendaño