Gwen to press 44 towns mayors to follow

With a toast of red wine and a hearty lunch hosted by Cebu’s top Catholic Church leader, all except of two Cebu congressmen yesterday declared their opposition to the Reproductive Health bill.

“Our religion is under attack, we should protect it,” said Rep. Pablo Garcia of the 2nd district.

The Deputy Speaker said the numbers tilt in their favor.

Out of 285 members of the House of Representatives, 130 oppose the bill while 108 members manifested support, he said. About a dozen more votes are needed to assure a majority.

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma thanked the legislators for “standing up for the values of the gospel for God and for country.”

He said the lunch invitation was not intended to pressure them but to “recognize their support and thank them.”

Six congressmen attended with five city and municipal mayors from Cebu.

Cebu City Rep. Tomas Osmeña of the south district was not invited to the lunch. He is the only Cebu national legislator who has come out in favor of the RH bill but had said that he promised former Rep. Raul del Mar, a papal awardee, that he would abstain from voting in the House out of respect for their friendship.

First-time lawmaker Rep. Luigi Quisumbing of the 4th district was invited but did not attend the meeting.

Gov. Gwen Garcia, who gave the response for local government units at the lunch, said that she is “pro-life” and that all seven cities and 44 municipalities of the province would stand against the RH bill.

She said she wouldn’t have had eight siblings if birth control and the RH bill were implemented years ago.

“I would like to send a very clear signal to all our local government units to take up a stand against the RH bill,” she said in an interview later.

Garcia said she would meet soon with the Provincial Board and the vice governor to discuss how to emphasize this stand.

Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale, who attended the lunch, said she was “still listening” to discussions on the bill and didn’t want to influence the views of Capitol lawmakers until it is discussed in the board.

Archbishop Palma said that after Catholic leaders in the national level met with political leaders, he decided that, “We might as well do that in Cebu because our politicians are more ardent in their seal to protect life and the Christian values.”

“Allow me to express our sincerest gratitude, for revealing your thoughts, and for standing up for the values of the gospel for God and for country”, Palma said in the meeting.

He said “unity and friendship with God” should be the basic consideration of the flock in deciding on the issue of the RH bill.

Deputy Speaker Garcia said anti-RH bill lawmakers are reaching out to the remaining 47 representatives who have yet to decided on the issue.

He said it would be difficult once the bill reach the Congress, since according to him, more senators are in favor of the bill.

“They like to think that they are more advanced, so they supported it,” Garcia said.

The Archdiocese of Cebu invited Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, Majority leader Sen. Vicente Sotto III, Sen. Ralph Recto, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada and Sen. Gringo Honasan II.

However, none of them came while only Senator Sotto sent his chief of staff, lawyer Hector Villacorta, on his behalf.

Who attended? Congressmen Eduardo Gullas (1st district), Pablo Garcia (2nd district), Pablo John Garcia (3rd district), Benhur Salimbangon (4th district), Ramon “Red” Durano VI (5th district).

Luigi Quisumbing (6th district) didn’t attend while Arturo Radaza (lone district of Lapu-Lapu) was represented by his wife, Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza.

Rep Cutie del Mar (Cebu City north district) was represented by her father, Raul, a papal awardee for his contributions to the Catholic Church.

Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama sent his city administrator Jose Mari Poblete.

The other mayors at the lunch meeting were Toledo City Mayor Rudy Espinosa, Talisay City Mayor Socrates Fernandez, Carcar City Mayor Nicepuro Apura and Naga City Mayor Val Chiong.

Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes led a “solidarity toast” after a buffet lunch of lechon, pasta and other meat dishes. The officials, with Archibishop Palma, later posed in the garden in front of a statue of Blessed Pope John Paul II with a banner declaring “Cebu Unite for LIFE!”

Archbishop Palma, vice president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, said they would continue an education and awareness campaign against the RH bill.

“Many may not have seen the dimensions of the bill… which in the final analysis is against development and morality and would not bring the good of the people as claimed,” he said.