Palace defends Cabral

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang defended Health Secretary Esperanza Cabral from calls for her to resign because of the recent move of the Department of Health (DOH) to distribute condoms on Valentine’s Day.

Although the DOH has denied that it was behind the purchase and distribution of the contraceptives, the one-day program held at the Dangwa flower market in Manila last Feb. 14 was backed by the DOH.

The program was meant to encourage couples to practice safe sex in the face of a reported rise in the number of HIV/AIDS cases.

Deputy presidential spokesman Gary Olivar said it is the privilege of the bishops to say what they want about the issue and Cabral, but reminded them that officials should be judged based on public policy interests and not on morality.

Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) vice chairman Ramon Arguelles said Cabral has no place in government with her “immoral” methods of population control.

Arguelles told Cabral to change her ways because she already had one foot in hell and she might drag other people with her.

The Palace had initially denied any involvement in the condom distribution activity, reiterating the policy of the administration to promote natural family planning methods only.

The DOH, on the other hand, explained that the condoms were not purchased by the government and were in fact being given for free by the manufacturers.

Reacting to the bishop’s call for Cabral to resign, administration standard-bearer Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said he disagreed because he knows her to be a very competent and hardworking public servant.

He said he would retain Cabral in his administration if elected president.