Poll bets urged to take stand on RH bill issue

CEBU, Philippines - Labor Partylist Partido ng Manggagawa challenged the candidates in the elections, especially the presidentiables, to make a categorical stand in favor of reproductive health in view of the SWS survey showing voters’ support for pro-RH contenders.

“We call on national to local candidates to make a stand for the RH bill and the Filipino voters will stand by you in the election. The candidates who say they are pro-poor and pro-women should make this motherhood slogan concrete by uncompromising support for reproductive health,” Judy Ann Miranda, PM secretary-general said.

Miranda said that the candidates especially the presidentiables should not fear the supposed clout and negative campaign of pro-life groups for they do not represent the sentiments and votes of the silent majority.

She said that the government must “provide the means for natural and artificial family planning that must go together with education on the use of contraceptives in relation to the spread of HIV-AIDS, spacing of children, unwanted pregnancies, and teenage pregnancies, among others.”

PM has declared its uncompromising position on the issue of condom distribution and reproductive health in activities commemorating International Women’s Day.

Miranda also lambasted the presidentiable candidates for making vague statements or reversing their previous positions on the RH bill because of pro-life lobbying. — Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/MEEV   (FREEMAN NEWS)