AS FAR AS former Sen. Francisco Tatad is concerned, restoring the country’s frayed moral fibers begins with unnerving the peddlers of contraception and abortifacients in Congress.
Tatad, an AB Philosophy alumnus and former Varsitarian literary editor, urged the pro-life community to support a resolution calling for the expulsion of the Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development (PLCPD) from the Batasan Complex during the 13th Asia-Pacific Congress on Faith, Life and Family last Oct. 8
“This pseudo-government committee attached itself to the Batasan without any authority from Congress,” Tatad, a member of the United States-based International Right to Life Federation, told the Varsitarian.
The PLCPD is a non-government organization composed of lawmakers from both chambers of Congress that aims to advance population control in the country. It is funded by international contraceptive and abortion grant chasers.
“Its agenda is simply to promote the passage of population control laws, policies and programs inimical to the interest of the family and contrary to the letter and spirit of the Constitution,” Tatad said.
He was also quick to express his apprehension over the proliferation of “anti-family” and “anti-life” bills in the House of Representatives masquerading as vehicles for alleged alleviation of the country’s socio-economic woes.
Some of these controversial bills were HB 4016 or the Divorce Bill filed by Gabriela Party Rep. Liza Masa, HB 3773 or the Responsible Parenthood and Population Management Act by Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, and HB 3422 or the Family Life Act of 2004 by Nueva Vizcaya Rep. Rodolfo Agbayani.
Later in the day, the audience heeded Tatad’s call, launching a signature campaign drive in support of a resolution that will be transmitted to the lower House for deliberation under the sponsorship of Palawan Rep. Abraham Khalil Mitra.
In the end, Tatad underscored the country’s role as vanguard of the “culture of life” in Asia.
“Nowadays, all over the world, the Philippines, Malta and the Vatican are the only remaining nations where divorce and contraception are not legalized, where euthanasia is not promoted, and where same-sex union is not an issue,” Tatad said. “We have reasons to maintain that distinction.” Anthony Andrew G. Divinagracia
