Compromise shaping over RH bill

Manila — The reproductive health (RH) bill may yet become Part III of a history of animosity between the Catholic Church and the government that senators predict would end in a compromise.

The two sides had clashed before over a bill proposing religious education in public schools in 1938, and a bill proposing compulsory reading of Jose Rizal’s “Noli Me Tangere” and “El Filibusterismo” in all levels in 1956, Sen. Joker Arroyo said.

“This is as controversial as the compulsory reading of the ‘Noli’ and ‘Fili,’ and the compulsory religious instruction,” Arroyo told reporters.

In a radio interview last Sunday, he said: “It could [shake] the administration, especially since the President has taken a stand. His stand in effect is the same as the stand of President Quezon.”

Then President Manuel L. Quezon vetoed the bill on compulsory religious instruction after it was passed by the legislature, citing the separation of the Church and State. This enraged the Church, Arroyo said.

The Church also opposed the compulsory reading of Rizal’s two novels because of passages critical of the Church.

It later relented when lawmakers agreed to modify the versions for elementary and high school students, he said.  /Inquirer