Ramos urges Aquino to certify birth control bill as urgent

MANILA, Philippines—Former president Fidel V. Ramos has called on President Benigno Aquino III to certify the reproductive health bill as urgent as hundreds of personalities pushing for the measure launched, on Wednesday, a movement to press for the legislation.

Speaking at the “Purple Ribbon” launch Wednesday afternoon, Ramos reminded Aquino of his own words in a recent speech where the latter said he must “do what is right.”

“Mr. President, with due respect, for you to do the right thing, you must now certify the RH bill as urgent,” said Ramos to the applause of the hall at the Crowne Plaza hotel in Pasig City.

He said Aquino should not fear repercussions from the bill’s critics if he openly expressed his support for the measure.

“Let me appeal to our highest elected leader who occupies Malacañang, our beloved President Aquino.  As your boss — that’s us — we ask his excellency to lead the campaign for the enactment of the RH bill,” Ramos said.

He noted that the country was among nations who signed an agreement in Cairo back in 1994, during his term, to cut infant mortality and maternal deaths.  Birth-related deaths are among the critical health issues that the bill, according to its advocates, hope to address.

The controversial bill, which has received wide opposition from the Roman Catholic church, is pending in both houses of Congress.

It seeks to provide free counseling and birth control services to low-income families who would want to space births.  Proponents of the bill say the measure will promote both artificial and natural family planning methods and would leave it to couples to decide which are suitable for them.  They insist that the measure will not promote abortion, as alleged by the Catholic Church.