Name calling irks progressive group supporting RH bill

CEBU - Cause-oriented group Akbayan Party, through its president, expressed indignation after a campaign launched recently by the Roman Catholic Church implied that those who support the Reproductive Health Bill are “anti-life” and “anti-family.”

In a text message sent to The FREEMAN yesterday, Ernie Edralin asked those concerned to stop tagging them as “murderers” just because of their unfaltering stand in backing the RH bill, or the Reproductive Health Care and Population Management Act, which aims to answer the growing population of the country.

Edralin said though that the party recognizes the call of Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal to intensify the signature campaign against the proposed RH bill since the prelate is a leader of the Roman Catholic flock.

However, Edralin said, “we in Akbayan - and one of those who strongly advocate for its passage - are within our rights to lobby for the bill, and should be spared the name callings like murderers and abortionists.”

Last Monday, during the celebration of the birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Vidal once again appealed to the public to strongly support the signature campaign against the passage of the RH bill which he described to be “against the doctrines of the church”.

But Edralin said that instead of renouncing the bill, it would be best to come up first with a healthy discussion. — Cressida Paula G. Delmo/MEEV (The Freeman)