Catholic, evangelical, and Muslim leaders, together with a number of sociocivic organizations, gathered last July 15 to form the «Pro-Life Coalition,» reaffirming their staunch opposition to the Reproductive Health (RH) bill being pushed by allies of the Aquino administration.
In a statement titled “Reunite and Restore: A Call for National Solidarity and Moral Recovery,” coalition members said they would give their “unwavering support to all pro-poor programs of the present administration” but would “strongly oppose and vehemently resist all moves by any individual, group or institution to enact the RH bill into law.”
The bill seeks to establish a massive, state-funded birth control program.
“We fully stand behind more socially and morally relevant bills, like the ‘Right to Information Act,’ that will significantly bolster the war against corruption in all levels of government,” said Baptist preacher and former Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante, who read the official statement of Pro-life Coalition.
“All the attempts to pass the [RH] bill are works not according to the will of God,” said Lipa Archbishop Ramon Arguelles. “We must have an effort to preserve life in all aspects.”
Meanwhile, Former senator Francisco Tatad of the International Right to Life Federation challenged President Benigno Aquino III to protect the pro-life advocacy of his mother.
“Many parts of the constitution are pro-life and it is because of the late Cory Aquino,” said Tatad, a former Varsitarian editor.
Tatad said 42 countries are already experiencing decline of birth rates. Russia, for example, whose population is declining, has recognized the errors of birth control.
“Birth control is not the essential component of marriage, and politicians should recognize that demography affects the world,” Tatad said.
Muslim groups said “killing children because of fear of poverty” contradicts their faith. They called on Filipinos “not to fear poverty.”
“There are so many verses of the Qu’ran that are pro-life,” said Aleem Said Akmad Basher, chairman of the Imam Council of the Philippines.
Call for ‘moral decency’
The coalition however gave its support to the administration’s pro-poor programs and the drive against graft and corruption.
Abante also stated the coalition’s position on the preservation and conservation of natural resources, rejecting all forms of “misuse, abuse, and ruthless exploitation of God-given resources.”
“We are here to ensure that the future generations will not suffer deprivation due to near extinction and destruction [of natural resources],” he said.
Abante added that every God-fearing Filipino must do away with apathy, complacency, and the “bahala na” mentality.
The press conference was held in line with the 43rd anniversary of Humanae Vitae, the papal document that reaffirmed the Catholic Church’s teaching against artificial birth control. James Bryan J. Agustin
