Pacman to fans: Let's fight RH bill

MANILA, Philippines - Filipino boxing icon and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao today called on his fans to follow the "order of God and not of man" in deciding over the issue of the controversial Reproductive Health (RH) bill.

In a mini press conference at the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) this afternoon in Intramuros, Manila, Pacquiao appealed to his millions of Filipino fans to join him in opposing the measure from being passed in Congress.

"Nanawagan ako sa mga fans ko na sana magkaisa tayo para labanan at sugpuin ang RH bill. Sana hindi utos ng tao ang ating susundin kung hindi ang utos ng Panginoon," Pacquaio said.

Quoting the Holy Bible, Pacquiao said God has ordered man to "go into the world and multiply."

"Hindi naman sinabi na 'go into the world and only have one child or two children'," he said. Pacquaio has sired four children.

Despite his staunch opposition to the proposed measure, Pacquiao said he is not against the Aquino administration.

"Hindi naman ibig sabihin na nilalabanan natin siya (President Aquino)," he added.

In the event that the statute is passed by Congress, Pacquaio said he will continue to fight it.

"Habang pinipilit nilang isulong ang RH bill, habang buhay namin itong lalaban," he said.

When asked about reports that his wife, Jinky, had used contraceptives in the past, Pacquiao answered, "Iyun na nga yung ibang tao gumagamit ng contraceptives, nagpi-pills, nagku-condom, kahit wala pang RH bill so bakit pa natin ipapasa ‘yan?"

Pacquiao also cited that he came from a poor family, with his three siblings, but his mother, Aling Dionesia, managed to raise them. His mother and father have been separated.

"Hindi kailangan ng mahihirap ang RH bill. Ang kailangan ay magkaisa tayo para sugpuin ang korapsyon," he said, reiterating his view that the cause of poverty in the country is corruption.

The Sarangani legislator went to the CBCP compound to have lunch with the bishops.

CBCP spokesman Monsignor Juanito Figura, meanwhile, clarified that the catered food was provided by laymen and not a single centavo came from the organization.

After the press conference, the bishops, led by CBCP president Bishop Nereo Odchimar, prayed over Pacquiao, who was about to attend the plenary debate on the disputed bill at the House of Representatives.

Sorsogon bishop Arturo Bastes clarified that Pacquiao is only one of the staunch anti-RH bill advocates.

"We don't want to consider him as a poster boy but he just wants to support us and we support him in his fight against RH bill," Bastes said.