MANILA, Philippines – With the “snowballing” of support for House Bill 5043 or the Reproductive Health Bill, the Reproductive Health Alliance Network (RHAN) yesterday renewed its call for the Catholic hierarchy to revisit its stand against the proposed measure.
RHAN secretary-general Beth Angsioco said they expect more religious groups to follow the Jesus is Lord Movement and the Iglesia ni Cristo in supporting the bill, which is being opposed by the Catholic hierarchy on the belief that it promotes abortion.
“We are happy that support for the bill is snowballing. I just hope that the Catholic hierarchy will be more open-minded in its view of this measure,” Angsioco told The STAR.
The other day, JIL leader Eddie Villanueva expressed the group’s support for the bill provided some provisions are deleted.
He said the bill can be improved so as not to sacrifice the “landmark legislation aimed at addressing the root of poverty in this country.”
Angsioco said while the Catholic hierarchy remains steadfast in its opposition to the bill, a majority of its parishioners now see the need for the country to have a comprehensive family planning program.
She added that before Catholics find out that their leaders’ stand is “irrelevant,” the Church should rethink its position and back the bill. – Sheila Crisostomo