Name: MELENDRES, Mark James I.

Year & Block: BSN 2, Blk 3

Reaction Paper #: 1

Date: July 16, 2011

PHILIPPINES STILL DIVEDED ON RH BILL

Summary of the article:
Philippine society remains divided on the reproductive health (RH)
bill as the heated debate on "Harapan" aired by ABS-CBN and ANC. Key
proponents of movements either supporting or rejecting the RH bill took
part in the discussion. The debate sought to clarify issues about the bill
now pending in Congress, amid vitriol spilled by both sides on social
media, the pulpit, on the streets, and elsewhere. House Minority Leader
Edcel Lagman, one of the proponents of the measure now called
Responsible Parenthood-RH Bill, mentioned surveys made by SWS and
Pulse Asia showing that a majority of Filipinos support the RH
bill. Lagman added that it is not only about contraceptives but also
maternal health, abortion prevention, HIV-AIDS management prevention,
and efforts to stamp out violence against women. Paraaque Rep. Roilo
Golez, who is opposing the bill, took the opposite road and said he and
the other guests would not be present at the debate if their mothers
followed family planning. Garin, meanwhile, reiterated her stand that the
RH Bill is against abortion. "Bilang doktor, hindi kami papayag gawing
legal ang abortion sa Pilipinas," she said.
Reaction:
I greatly admired what Golez said that if our parents followed family
planning we should not be here. And so it made me an opponent of RH
Bill. For what is the need for that bill when the church allows abortion in
the manner that the pregnancy may harm the mother; whats the use of
those contraceptives when the church allows natural family planning
method? Isnt it ironic? They said that our country is in need of this bill to
stop overpopulation, but the population is not the problem here. In fact,
developed countries like Japan and South Korea are more populated than
the Philippines, but why are they wealthy? It is because the problem isnt
overpopulation. Our country is poor because of mismanagement
because of corruption. So instead of trying to blame the countrys
population, why not focus their efforts in stopping corruption in the
government? As a Filipino, I am proud to say that our constitution is one
of the most beautiful among others - a constitution that supports life. So
why stain it with RH bill?
Source: Malig, Jojo, May 11, 2011, via ABS-CBNnews.com
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/-depth/05/08/11/philippines-still-divided-reproductive-health-bill