Prelate Fears Railroading of RH Bill

MANILA, March 1, 2011— An official of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines feared that supporters of the reproductive health bill are trying to railroad the passage of the legislation.

Despite a Malacañang pronouncement that it is no longer a priority, CBCP’s Commission on Family and Life chairman Archbishop Paciano Aniceto can’t stop but wonder why it is fast-tracked.

“It’s like there’s somebody dictating them to railroad it. There is double talk here in the government. Malacañang said there is prioritization. But the House is (working) double time,” he said.

The CBCP has strongly opposed the passage of the bill for going against Church teachings against artificial birth control and for imposing sex education among primary and high school students.

The House of Representatives on Tuesday cancelled the first plenary debates on the RH bill due to problems in the building’s air conditioning system.

Proponents of the bill are confident the measure on family planning will be approved in the House before the 15th Congress adjourns in June.

But Aniceto said the bishops are trying everything they can to convince their respective congressmen to reject the RH bill.

“We are trying our best in our dialogues with our respective congressmen. I believe our congressmen are intelligent and educated,” said Aniceto. (CBCPNews)