Kevin Bennett C.

Estero CO_2C

RH BILL
The Reproductive Health bill, popularly known as the RH bill, is a
Philippine bill aiming to guarantee universal access to methods and information on birth
control and maternal care. The bill has become the center of a contentious national
debate. There are presently two bills with the same goals. The bill is highly
controversial, with experts, academics, religious institutions, and major political figures
both supporting and opposing it, often criticizing the government and each other in the
process. The issue is so divisive that at one point, the Catholic Bishops Conference of
the Philippines threatened to excommunicate the President, Benigno Aquino III if he
supported the bill. Added, The Catholic Church accused supporters of the controversial
reproductive health bill (RH) of having problems in their marital life. Lipa Archbishop
Ramon Arguelles said actors and actresses who endorse the RH bill ultimately want a
divorce measure to be passed in Congress. Meanwhile, Sorsogon bishop Arturo Bastes
said actors who support the RH bill set a bad example to the youth. Bastes asked the
followers of these actors not to be swayed by "sweet talk" on contraceptives.

  Central issue is the morality of contraception. Around 81% of Filipinos are

Catholics, and the Catholic Church teaches that extramarital sex and contraception are
moral evils, since they desecrate sex which is intrinsically linked to new human beings
whose lives are sacred. Contraception, says the church, also makes spouses lie about
their total self gift to their spouse, by not surrendering their personal fertility. Far from
being simply a Catholic issue, the RH bill is a major attack on authentic human values
and on Filipino cultural values regarding human life that all of us have cherished since
time immemorial. Simply stated the RH Bill does not respect moral sense that is central
to Filipino cultures. It is the product of the spirit of this world, a secularist, materialistic
spirit that considers morality as a set of teachings from which one can choose,
according to the spirit of the age. Some it accepts, others it does not accept.
Unfortunately, we see the subtle spread of this post-modern spirit in our own Filipino
society.

Based on my own conclusion, I myself believe that RH bill is a well-studied bill.

But, this is an unending debate based on moralism, economy, population growth and
how it leads to poverty, among others. Well, ask all those who are marching against and
for the Bill if they even read it and understand it. We should stop citing constitutional
provisions and churches' statement. These are just based on several people's opinion.
People shouldn’t ask those who are uneducated for many of them don't even know the
issue. They are more concerned with how to feed their own stomachs and their children.
For this, I think the government should and must reach out with the people. Educate
those who do not understand for ignorance costs much than education.

Submitted to:
Sir Dabe