^

Opinion

Cebu sends a message via a huge anti-RH rally

SHOOTING STRAIGHT - Bobit S. Avila -

Last Sunday, Cebuanos held the largest (estimates ranged from 6,000 to 12,000 marchers) protest rally at the Fuente Osmeña that we’ve ever seen since the impeachment attempt in 2003 of then Supreme Court Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. This time it was Cebuanos protesting against the Reproductive Health (RH) Bill that the Aquino Government is hell-bent in pushing into a law. Indeed, I’ve attended many prayer rallies bombarding the heavens to open the eyes of Pres. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III not to offend God and his parents Ninoy and Tita Cory who are surely in heaven and take a stand for the unborn children in this country.

Dr. Rene Bullecer, national director of Human Life International and the dynamo behind the anti-RH protest in Cebu and in the South immediately exposed those so-called surveys that 70 percent of Filipinos supported the RH Bill. He exposed the reality that those behind the RH bill had to resort to lies in order to con the innocent and uninformed Filipino that the RH Bill is not an abortion bill. But since the pro-life groups acknowledge the fact that all artificial means of contraception or contraceptive pills are abortifacient, then the truth has to come out that the RH Bill is pro-abortion!

The message of Cebu’s newly-installed Archbishop Jose Palma who was in Rome was read before the massive audience where he stated, “For those, out of honest ignorance are supporting the RH Bill, we pray to the Holy Spirit for the light of wisdom and understanding. For those who are indifferent about this issue, or are afraid to stand for their faith, or have grown cold in their faith, we pray for ardent zeal.” This fight is after all Spiritual Warfare.

Indeed, the Cebu Archbishop is reaching out to those so-called non-practicing Catholics who are in truth, Catholic in name only. If only they woke up to the truth and realize the lies that are being forged to pass the RH bill, there wouldn’t have been enough room at the Fuente Osmeña for all the people who are against the RH Bill. I’m sure that if both religious leaders of Cebu where not in Rome, they would have added a few thousands more in that rally at the Fuente Osmeña exactly a week ago.

Another speaker was Msgr. Juanito Figura, the Secretary General of the Catholic Bishop’s Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) who said “The Catholic Church does not have the funds or the strategy to mount an anti-RH bill campaign. What we have are prayers, gospel values, sincerity and commitment to human life, which are enough before we have God on our side… Every law of the society must be for the protection of human life.” I fully subscribe to what Msgr. Figura said that the RH Bill is anti-life… not pro-life!

Then came the turn of the politicians who are four-square against the RH Bill. First to talk was Manila Congressman Bienvenido Abante, a Pastor and member of the Bible Believer’s League for Morality and Democracy, Inc. who told us in his most bombastic speech, “There is no country in the world that passed their RH Bill that has not legalized abortion! Rep. Abante cited a passage from Psalm 127:3, “Children are very special since they are a gift of God. The RH Bill will destroy children through the use of contraceptives that are abortifacient. No law should be made to invade the privacy of the bedroom. We do not need condoms… we need condominiums!”

This was a powerful speech aimed at the Aquino administration that the Filipino people need condominiums rather than condoms! Rep. Abante added, “We need houses for the poor. Just imagine how many houses for the poor can be built with the millions of pesos that are meant to buy condoms!” We can only hope that his message got through to Malacanang. But alas, Pres. PNoy’s mind is too preoccupied on how to improve his skill in driving his Porsche! We can only hope that PNoy’s eyes would be opened soon!

Then came former Congressman Raul del Mar, a staunch anti-RH bill crusader who told the audience that he RH Bill is unconstitutional as it has nothing to do with reproduction. He pointed out, “This bill should be called the Birth Control Bill because it controls births. What should be taught should be moral values, not sex education. We are on the side of right because the Catholic Church is with us, the bishops and priests are with us. So how can be on the wrong side? Those who support the RH Bill are on the wrong side!

Another bombastic speaker is Rep. Pablo Garcia of Cebu’s 2nd District who told the audience about the principles of the separation of Church and State, which is Benevolent Neutrality. He pointed out that the State cannot favor any church nor should it do anything to harm any church, hence the said that the RH Bill violates the principles of the Separation of Church and State. There were many other speakers like Fr. John Orat and Bro. Ali Aguspina, a Charismatic Evangelizer; alas we can’t print what they said in this column. But no doubt, Cebu has sent the message that we are Pro-Life!

*   *   *

For e-mail responses to this article, write to [email protected] or [email protected]. His columns can be accessed through www.philstar.com.

vuukle comment

ABANTE

ALI AGUSPINA

AQUINO

AQUINO GOVERNMENT

ARCHBISHOP JOSE PALMA

BILL

CATHOLIC CHURCH

CEBU

FUENTE OSME

  • Latest
  • Trending
Latest
Latest
abtest
Are you sure you want to log out?
X
Login

Philstar.com is one of the most vibrant, opinionated, discerning communities of readers on cyberspace. With your meaningful insights, help shape the stories that can shape the country. Sign up now!

Get Updated:

Signup for the News Round now

FORGOT PASSWORD?
SIGN IN
or sign in with