Church gets 10,000 signatures vs. RHB

CEBU – Even if the signature campaign will officially begin Wednesday yet, the Archdiocese of Cebu is already assured of 10,000 signatures for its ongoing campaign against the controversial reproductive health bill.

Human Life International director Rene Josef Bullecer said opposition to the bill is fighting for the sanctity of life and the signature campaign is intended to put pressure on Congressmen that favor the proposed legislation.

The signature campaign is supposed to start today but Bullecer said the contents of the explanatory statement in the campaign sheets have to be amended to make them more substantive upon request of Cebu Archbishop Cardinal Vidal.

Cebu Archdiocese spokesman Msgr. Achilles Dakay is said to be the one taking charge of the revisions to put the explanatory statement in line with Vidal’s aim to make the campaign a platform for the people to promote loyalty to the Constitution, loyalty to God and loyalty to the hierarchy of the church.

Vidal is expected to go through the revised statement when he returns to Cebu today. Bullecer said he is confident that the Cardinal will approve the amendments.

Bullecer said each of the 142 parishes in Cebu will be given three rims of campaign sheets that would enable them to collect at least 10,000 signatures. Vidal has reportedly asked all priests to augment the information campaign through their homilies.

The 7,000 catechists and community groups in the different parishes would also be mobilized and support from schools would be sought.

So far, Bullecer said that there are now 56 legislators that are supporting the campaign. The church is targeting at least 100 congressmen to support the drive.

Bullecer said if the plenary meeting in Congress tomorrow will not be in their favor, the church will hold a bigger rally than what was held two months ago here in Cebu to achieve the one million signatures in less than two months.

Some Cebuano legislators have reportedly promised to “kill” the bill during the plenary meeting. — Jessica Ann Pareja/JMO (THE FREEMAN)