Palma: There's money behind RHB

CEBU, Philippines - The Church fears that congressmen may vote for the passage of the Reproductive Health Bill because of the rumored money involved.

“The apprehension we have is, while many of our congressmen by themselves feel that the RH Bill is not necessary for the country, but because of the money that they can get, they may have soft hearts towards the bill,” Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma said.

In his homily during the Mass for his 62nd birthday yesterday, Palma said they learned from some sources that there are monetary programs from other countries linked to some form of support of the bill.

Even President Noynoy Aquino, Palma said, “is being influenced or shackled in a sense that he has had commitments and it’s not easy to withdraw from commitments to others especially to funding institutions.”

“They may not readily admit it in public but people know and we were informed by some sources that this is how things work,” the prelate said.

Despite this fear, Palma, also president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, hopes that Congress will evaluate the implications of the bill.

The archbishop has also reiterated their stand against the bill amid rumors that they would be amenable to changes in their stand because of the change of administration in CBCP when he assumed his post.

“RH Bill is a bill which is very dangerous to the life of our Filipino people in the sense that there are a lot of provisions we’re afraid that could destroy our family and many of our cherished Christian values,”

He said the Church and pro-life advocates are making the people aware of the bill’s implications through seminars, symposia and forums.

Last Sunday, around 100 people rallied at the Plaza Sugbo to counter plans to pass the bill before Holy Week. (FREEMAN)