KING, GINGER ASHLEY M.

2019110266
RZL110/A41

RIZAL BILL VS. RH BILL

On an interesting note, the stance of the catholic church is the same for both bills
wherein they are against it. Although they have different reasons for why they oppose each
respective bill, the common ground for this is that it either paints catholicism in a negative light
or it violates the sanctity of something. Since catholicism is a major part of our culture, even if
these bills are passed in congress, appeasing the Filipino mass would be quite difficult due to
religious bias. Bills such as these, although they are beneficial to society, have once been
considered as taboo due to the catholic church’s opposition against it.

There may have been times where church interference has been beneficial to the state
such as the removal of the death penalty. However, at this point in time, their interference
causes more harm than good especially with regards to the RH bill. During the legislative
debates for passing the Rizal bill, the catholic church opposed this since their image would be
tainted through telling history as it is: colonizers evangelized us, and they capitalized on
oppressing us and our resources. They prioritized protecting their image over giving Rizal his
hard earned and well-deserved honor through educating students without censoring his
literature. On the other hand, legislative debates surrounding the RH bill worsened the stigma
around sex and sex education as the catholic church condemned effective sex education,
contraceptives, and the provision of the aforementioned on a nationwide scale.

The catholic church’s fear of introducing the truth to the Filipino masses hindered
nationwide progress, interfered with issues of the state, and caused more harm to the Filipino
people than good. Much like the Rizal bill and the RH bill, abortion, divorce, and marriage
equality should also be legalized in the country. However, doing so would be ‘violating the
sanctity of many unions’. Providing choices for women, introducing effective sex education and
reproductive health protection, breaking off abusive relationships, and marrying who we want to
is still a long way from reality here in the Philippines. If only there was a clear separation
between church and state, I believe that Filipinos in dangerous and vulnerable situations would
have had more choices that could have been their escape. For an institution and a community
that values honesty, integrity, kindness, selflessness, and courage so much, their censorship
and priority of reputation over rightful education and effective choices shows their hypocrisy in
its shining glory. Like the Pharisees who did not do what they preach, history repeats itself.