JAIL THE MORAL GUARDIANS OF THE COUNTRY!!!

Cebu Archbishop: RH backers hide truth on bill’s provision

Sunstar Monday, November 8, 2010

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/cebu-archbishop-rh-backers-hide-truth-bill-s-provision

MANILA -- Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal on Monday hit lawmakers pushing for the
controversial Reproductive Health (RH) bill for allegedly concealing the truth in some of its provisions.

In an interview on the sidelines of the 17th Asia-Pacific Congress on Faith, Life and Family in Makati
City, Vidal insisted there is a provision in the bill that deals with imprisonment.

“One of the sanctions — if it becomes a law — anybody who would speak against it will be fined or
put to prison. I have read the bill. It’s very clear there,” Vidal told reporters.

“That’s what the RH backers do not discuss,” he added.

Among the “prohibited acts” mentioned in the RH measure is “any person who maliciously engages in
disinformation about the intent or provisions of this Act,” which carries the penalty of imprisonment
from one to six months, or a fine ranging from P10,000 to P50,000.

Vidal lamented how the lawmakers deliberately hid the information from the public, just as stated by
leading RH advocate House Minority Leader Edcel Lagman.

“I don’t like to judge but that is the fact that they do not bring to the open,” he reiterated.

On Sunday, Lagman accused the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) of resorting
to propaganda activities, such as when the clergymen expressed willingness to go to jail when the
measure is enacted into law.
The Albay congressman said bishops are only seeing “phantom jailers” as no one will be jailed for
opposing the RH bill.

Supporters of the controversial bill turned back on the Catholic Church Monday after some priests
reportedly expressed their willingness to be imprisoned if the bill will be enacted into law.

Ramon San Pascual, executive director of the Philippine Legislators Committee on Population and
Development (PLCPD), said the bishops should not resort to “lies and threats” to sway the growing
number of Filipinos from supporting the measure.

“Catholic bishops don’t seem to know how to handle the inevitable passage of the RH bill. On one
hand, they want to push through with the dialogue with President Benigno Aquino III, yet they are
urging Catholics to prepare for a head-on clash with the RH advocates,” he said.

Malacañang earlier told warring groups to go slow on issuing statements on the bill, as bishops try to
present their case before the executive department.

“We appreciate Bishop Nereo Odchimar’s statement this weekend that, win or lose, the church must
express its position on the RH bill. That is a more respectable posturing than the outright threat of ex-
communication he issued to Aquino fa ew weeks back,” he said.

Vidal insisted they will not be cowed even by the possibility of being jailed as long as they are able to
fulfill their duties.

“What am I going to do? Do you mean to say I will be silent already? I cannot do that because I have to
preach about the 5th commandment of God: Thou shall not kill,” said the cardinal.

He also said following the RH bill’s provision would be tantamount to bishops becoming jobless as
they will be prevented from preaching God’s teachings.

The CBCP has been the staunchest rival of the RH bill’s passage, as the bishops do not advocate the
promotion of the artificial methods of family planning. (AMN/VL/Sunnex)