Lagman says RH bill solution to abortion

CEBU - Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman yesterday said the controversial Reproductive Health Bill is one of the main solutions to the problem on abortion.

Lagman, who principally authored the proposed “RH Bill” or the Reproductive Health and Population Development Act of 2008, pointed out that the main objective of the proposed measure is to prevent unwanted pregnancies through the natural, and the new, modern family planning method.

With the regular use of contraceptives as part of the FPM, he said abortion would be reduced by as much as 85 percent.

He explained that the more the contraceptives are used, the lower the rate of abortion becomes because unplanned pregnancies do not happen anymore.

Lagman yesterday hosted a press conference here in Cebu to show to the public the support of various multi-sectoral groups, including some Church members, for the passage of the bill.

According to him, the bill gives women and couples the freedom to decide on what type of family planning method they will adopt.

He said that there are other sectors of the Catholic hierarchy that are being isolated in the religious community by being “viciously objective” to the bill.

“They are just following the hierarchy, but deep in their hearts they know that this (RH Bill) is important,” Lagman said.

Rev. Danny Maing, senior pastor of Mandaue City Alliance Church, also manifested his support for the bill, together with the Muslim community, Iglesia Ni Cristo, Philippine Christian Evangelization Church, United Church of Christ in the Philippines, among others.

“We have a unanimous support for the bill not because of theological perspective but because of biblical stand. The concept of the bill supported the scriptures of the bible,” Maing said.

He cited that in Genesis 1:27 of the Holy Bible, God said “be fruitful and increase in number” but he emphasized that God also ordered to “subdue it, control it.”

Rev. Orlando Carvajal, President of the Philippine Federation of Married Priests, also expressed his support for the bill saying marriage among clergy is limited because they practice family planning.

Lagman expressed optimism that the RH Bill will become a law soon and once it is enacted into law, he said that anyone who repeatedly and maliciously misinforms the public about it would be subjected to prosecution and imprisonment with fine.

Tess Vargas, executive director of Options Inc. also expressed support for the proposed measure.

“The bill is in the right track. This is comprehensive in scope and contains an integrated approach to population management that does not center on the usage along of family planning methods but maternal-child health care and responsible parenthood,” she said. — Niña Chrismae G. Sumacot/WAB (THE FREEMAN)