CBCP not softening on RH bill

MANILA, Philippines – An official of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines insisted yesterday the CBCP is not softening its stand against the reproductive health bill even if it has expressed support for the government’s comprehensive information campaign on natural and artificial family planning methods.

“It does not mean that we favor the use of artificial contraceptives. No. The stand of the Church still remains to be no to contraceptives and, definitely, no to abortion,” CBCP secretary general Msgr. Juanito Figura said in an interview over Church-run Radio Veritas.

Previous reports said the Church has softened its stand on the controversial bill, which is now pending in Congress, after a meeting between Catholic leaders and government officials in Malacañang last Wednesday.

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said the officials agreed that the government will embark on a comprehensive information campaign on both natural and artificial family planning methods. He said a technical working group will be created to map out the joint information drive on reproductive health.

“The dialogue is not intended for anything else but just to gather the sentiments and opinions of the stakeholders about the issues on reproductive health and responsible parenthood… it is not the intention of this dialogue to influence that nor it will it be influenced by ongoing dialogues that is happening in Congress,” the CBCP official said.

Figura said the next dialogue between the government and the Church is set to take place after Christmas.