Aquino-Pacquiao talk on RH ends in no decision

GOLDEN GLOVES President Aquino holds a boxing glove as world boxing pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao puts his signature on it. The Sarangani congressman presented a pair of yellow boxing gloves as a gift to the President during a courtesy call in Malacañang on Friday. LYN RILLON

MANILA, Philippines—In boxing parlance, yesterday’s encounter at Malacañang between the President and the world’s pound-for-pound king ended in a no decision.

The meeting between President Benigno Aquino III and world welterweight champion and Sarangani Representative Manny Pacquiao touched among others on the controversial reproductive health (RH) bill pending in the House of Representatives.

Pacquiao opposes the measure and has spoken out against it in House debates. Mr. Aquino has made known he favors a responsible parenthood law.

Asked whether Mr. Aquino managed to convince Pacquiao to support his responsible parenthood program, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said: “It would be difficult to judge.”

“Perhaps, we’d only be able to determine if there would be a change in their stand when they vote (on the bill) in the plenary,” she added.

No to abortion

Valte said that Pacquiao explained the points he raised during his interpellation on the congressional floor of the bill’s principal sponsor, Albay Representative Edcel Lagman.

“It was clear in the discussion that Congressman Pacquiao understood the President’s (position on responsible parenthood),” Valte told reporters after Pacquiao’s courtesy call.

Valte said they were “in agreement that there should be no abortion.”

Valte said Mr. Aquino told Pacquiao the administration doesn’t favor one method of family planning over another.

Sex education

Pacquiao, for his part, raised the matter of parents who don’t want to have their children undergo sex education, as provided for under the RH bill.

Valte said the Sarangani lawmaker also brought up  the concerns of his constituents concerning their need to be beneficiaries of the PhilHealth and the government’s welfare programs.

They also talked about Pacquiao’s recent fight in Las Vegas with Shane Mosley and how the American boxer “fought in reverse” by continuously retreating to avoid the Filipino boxer’s punches.

Exchange of gifts

Pacquiao presented Mr. Aquino with an autographed yellow shirt, an autographed grey, hooded sweater and an autographed pair of yellow boxing gloves.

The President handed Pacquiao “a small token,” Valte said.

Pacquiao returned home last weekend. Traditionally he goes almost immediately to see the President upon his return but Mr. Aquino was away at the time, visiting the US nuclear-powered warship USS Carl Vinson in international waters.

Mr. Aquino’s responsible parenthood program is anchored on making available all family planning methods to couples and allowing them to choose what is most appropriate for their needs.

The program includes artificial methods, which the leaders of the Catholic Church oppose. Pacquiao has aligned himself with the Church on the issue.