Opinions About the R.H. Bill

Yesterday, I interviewed a group people who gave me their insigts about he Reproductive Health Bill. I interviewed people randomly from De La Salle University who gave me a short statement of what they think about the R.H. Bill. Most of their opinions revolve around the idea that the R.H. Bill should be a means of a population control and they also believe that it is a good way of informing the people n our country the importance of reproductive health and the properly concept of sex. Here are the opinions of the students I interviewed:

Sharmaine: There are some Christians who are ok with this country having the Reproductive Health Bill. In my opinion, I  believe that Sexually Transmitted Disease is widespread and it must be prevented. Because the age of people who have STD are getting younger and younger, I believe that this is a way of preventing it and a means of preventing overpopulation.

Sean: I am a Jesuit but I studied in Xavier when I was in high school. Jesuits priests don't really see the R.H. Bill is a bad thing. Jesuits have their own beliefs that they do not associate themselves with Catholics. The R.H. Bill is not necessarily wrong and they are ok with the R.H. Bill because most of them believe that society can benefit from that proposal. It's not that we don't value life, it's just that we believe that society has problems and it should be bounded and the solution should not be bounded or grounded by religion alone. But in my school they are against the R.H. Bill because it also incorporates the principles from the school itself Xavier is a Catholic school and because of that they are against the R.H. Bill

Raph: People should be aware of family planning. It's hard to have a lot of children because resources are scarce. It also allows parents to raise their children properly and incorporate the proper culture that allows them to also live proper lives when they grow up.

Mica: In a moral perspective, it is wrong because it encourages minors to have premarital sex. It allows children to have easier access to contraception. Although that is the problem of the R.H. Bill I believe that it is a necessary evil in order to control society so that it gives people a choice and it is also a possible solution in controlling our population that is quickly rising..

Eric: I am for the R.H. Bill because it promotes education. It is a means of population control. It allows raises awareness of people about the importance of family planning.

Anna: The R.H. Bill is a way of not only controlling the population but also alleviating poverty through proper allocation of the budget of the government.

Marik:I believe that it is about the education about the people. It is also a protection for teens so that they'll be aware because there is no way of avoiding teens from having sex. I believe that the church should just stay out of it because I believe that the separation of church and state.

Comparing Pro and Anti Part 3

            In the first part of this three-part blog, I examined the arguments of those who believe that the Reproductive Health Bill should be passed. Most of them believe that the R.H. Bill is an excellent idea because it provides people with the chance of family planning thus giving them the choice and control over their lives.

            In the second part of the blog, I examined the arguments of those who believe that the R.H. Bill should not be passed. Most of them, particularly the Catholic Church, believe that the R.H. Bill should not be passed for the specific reason that it negates the value of life thus making it immoral. Some of them even believe that it is not the solution to the problem in our country because it does not attack the main problem of society which is corruption. In this blog I plan to analyze both sides of the argument in order to attempt to answer the question of which argument really is better: Rational Pro or Ethical Anti?

            Most people at this point would probably think that those who are against the R.H. Bill don’t really have a valid argument because it doesn’t really talk about anything except that it violates “life” and how it is against “God’s Will”. But if you remove that part of the argument, some of their reasoning is actually somewhat compelling and valid. The only reason why their argument is considered insignificant by a lot of people is because they keep putting God into the picture. They actually have a point when they argue that the R.H. Bill may not solve anything at all because it is not attacking the root cause of the problem. We are wasting so much time in this argument that it is distracting us from the true problem which is corruption. It also makes sense that the R.H. Bill may be manipulated by minors so that they can take advantage of sex.

            On the other hand, those who are for the R.H. Bill argue that though it may not be the solution towards our society, it is a possible solution for controlling or fast-rising population. It also protects women from unwanted pregnancy who attempted abortion. It gives those in poverty an opportunity in a developmental process and it also teaches minors as well as those who are unaware about the importance of Reproductive Health and Sex Education.

            When you compare both sides of the argument, how will you respond to such a argument? I will not answer the question because when I answer it, I feel like I am taking a side and letting my biases take over. The main question here is whether the R.H. Bill should be passed based on these arguments. When you seriously look at it, it actually isn’t a simple black and white case. It is actually a complicated argument which has been dumb down so that everyone will understand. If you remove the lame and repetitive arguments, It really becomes a sophisticated and interesting argument worth tackling.

Comparing Pro and Anti Part 2

                Last time, I’ve posted some comments given by some people who believe that the Reproductive Health Bill should be passed because it provides people with the choice to of family planning and contraception thus preventing overpopulation and poverty. This time I went to the other side of the argument in an attempt to understand the perspective of those who are against the R.H. Bill. Most of their arguments revolve around the idea that the R.H. Bill is sacrilegious in the eyes of God and that it is not the solution to poverty because it isn’t attacking the root course of it which is corruption. Some of them also believe that it is not the solution to overpopulation because the country is not overpopulated. Here are some of the comments given by different people through the internet:

@nikianne08: “CONT. Utos or kung ano ang naaayon sa word of GOD. So dapat daw anti-divorce bill and anti-RH bill tayo. Eh pano yan PRO ako. So does cont..”

Shari: NOOOOOOOOOOO to REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH BILL!!! may natural way po to prevent pregnancy. dapat nating tandaan na ang pagbubuntis po ay di isang sakit na dapat iwasan, ang ovulation po ay di rin isang sakit na dapat pigilan. natural po lamang ang ovulation, ang dapat po dito ay alamin kung kelan ito nangyayari, kami pong mag-asawa ay volunteer teacher ng natural family planning, handa po kaming magturo nito sa kahit kanino, ano man ang iyong katayuan sa buhay, ano man ang antas ng iyong pinag-aralan, ito po ay libreng pagtuturo at pag-aaral.

Jonathan_binaday: HOW MANY TIMES WILL I SAY! “HINDI PO OVERPOPULATED” ANG PILIPINAS! SA TOTOO PO KAPAG MAS MARAMING TAO SA ISANG BANSA MAS MARAMING ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES! MAS MARAMING WORKERS, PRODUCERS NG GOODS…, NEGOSYANTE AT ANG PRIMARY BASIS NG ECONOMICS ANG CONSUMERS! HUMIHIRAP LANG PO ANG PILIPINAS DAHIL ANG MGA TAO SA GOBYERNO HI…NDI BINIBIGYAN NG OPORTUNIDAD SA MGA TAO SA BANSA NA MAGING WORKERS, PRODUCERS NG GOODS,O NEGOSYANTE KAYA ANG NATIRANG OPTION IS TO BECOME A CONSUMER ,,, AT KAPAG MARAMI ANG CONSUMERS DUN LILITAW ANG MGA PROBLEMA,,,, (PLEASE CORRECT ME IF IM WRONG) 2OB PESOS ANG IBIBIGAY NA PONDO SA RH BILL NA YAN,,,, HINDI PA TIYAK ANG KASIGURADUHAN NITO,,, EH KUNG MAG IINVEST TAU SA PAMIMIGAY NG JOBS, EDUCATION, OPPORTUNITES AT SUPPORTS HINDI NA MAAPEKTOHAN ANG KARAPTANG MABUHAY, HINDI MAG KAKASAKIT ANG MGA KAKABABAIHAN AT IBA PA… USE OUR NUMBER AS AN ADVANTAGE SUPPORT LIFE!!!!!!!!!!! THATS ALL!

Dea Mateo Lugay: If my opinion at all can reach your community, I really feel my role as a mother bringing my humble experience raised in a poor surrounding in San Miguel, Quiapo can contribute “a no-agenda” lesson except stand on truth you may want to hear. Im Anti-RH.

My sights traveled every time my curiosity picked the thickening number of young street children. At their tender years they roamed the street and congest the whole ground of San Miguel where I grew and spent my childhood. My parents brought seven children and out of their perseverance and labor of love put us to colleges so we all finished our undergraduate degrees. That mediocre life brought me closely to feel about street children in poor communities that are exposed to social ills. Some were rescued taken by orphanages. Those unlucky ones brought up by wrong parenting lived in dismal abuses—alcohol, cigarettes, marijuana and prohibitive drugs. Our street-folks take prying noses at the lives of juveniles moonlighting as sexual dancers. I visualized their jaded life experiencing grim reality.

I ‘m saddened over this pathetic situation right in front of me. I looked at young street gangs and many youth facing a rogue life passing time in darkened corners sniffing rugby. Caught on act inside stationed passenger jeepneys are sex partners as they performed a quickie. Street commotion rang out when our neighbors discovered the aggressive young offenders. I blamed their parent for not taking their responsibility or the failure of “political nucleus.” Everyone neglected to do something. Economic poverty had boomeranged centuries after centuries yet it also ingrained moral irresponsibility. Something is wrong in the peculiar environment around these children.

                Now that I have analyzed both sides of the argument, I will attempt to compare both sides of the issue in the next blog. This way, we can actually know the pros and cons of the Reproductive Health Bill and judge whether it actually is a possible remedy for the many problems of our society.

Sources:

http://twitter.com/#!/nikianne08/statuses/84932274021347328

http://rakshari.multiply.com/journal/item/323/An_anti-RH_Bill_comment

http://www.buwayahman.com/?p=170

Comparing Pro and Anti Part 1

I have recently compiled several arguments and opinions of those who side with the Reproductive Health Bill. Most of these opinions revolve around the reasoning that the R.H. Bill does not support the reasoning of abortion. It merely recognizes the idea that people have the choice to use contraception and have the choice of family planning. Not only that it also include several care plan for post-abortion. Most of their opinions argue that the R.H. Bill is not at all immoral. It merely suggests the idea of a proper and rational choice so that people, especially those who are in poverty, have the opportunity to escape it through family planning. Below are some of the arguments and opinions given by people I have gathered through a website:

Anti RH argument: “(strongwind) abortion is said illegal and punishable by law but when abortion complication happens it will be treated in a good manner, is a contradictory statement… RH Bill may be a solution to reduce or at most eliminate the risk of abortion that is when all the contraceptives are working perfectly.”

Pro RH argument: The RH Bill does NOT force people to use contraception. It recognizes na may matitigas talaga ang ulo, something that the Church never recognizes. At yung iba dun, mabubuntis. At yung iba dun, ay illegal na magpapa-abort. The Bill protects their right to health care. Also, post-abortion care is part of reproductive health.

SEC 4s: Reproductive health is defined as the complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity, in all matters relating to the reproductive system and to its functions and processes.

SEC 26b: Public officials are prohibited from forcing any person to use such services.

————–

Anti-RH Bill Argument: “(alexsjsantos) korapsiyon ang dahilan kung bakit mahirap tayo. Kasi kung walang korapsiyon, madami trabaho at hindi paggawa ng bata ang aatupagin.”

Pro-RH Bill Argument: Poverty has many reasons, not just corruption as you would like to believe. The RH Bill recognizes this.

SEC 3n: Development is a multi-faceted process that calls for the coordination and integration of policies, plans, programs and projects that seek to uplift the quality of life of the people, more particularly the poor, the needy and the marginalized

SEC 5cc: Sustainable Human Development refers to bringing people, particularly the poor and vulnerable, to the center of development process, the central purpose of which is the creation of an enabling environment in which all can enjoy long, healthy and productive lives, and done in a manner that promotes their rights and protects the life opportunities of future generations and the natural ecosystem on which all life depends.

                I have provided a short glimpse of why those who are for the Reproductive Health Bill choose their side. It is because of rational choice and progress. In the next blog I will go further by compiling opinions from the opposite side of the case and compare both of them so that we may have a firm grasp of which side has a more reasonable argument.

Read more: http://rystraum.com/blog/2011/05/a-collection-of-pro-rh-rebuttals-to-common-anti-rh-arguments/

Hypocritical Oath is HYPOCRITICAL in the Philippines

                Last January 11, 2011, the Philippine Medical Association (PMA) made a statement regarding their stand on the argument regarding the Reproductive Health Bill.

In response to earlier reports saying that the country’s largest group of doctors, the Philippine Medical Association (PMA) is supporting the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines’ (CBCP) stance on the RH Bill, an official statement was made on the PMA website.

However, the rights of physicians to do what is best medically for their patients, the right to informed choice of the people, the freedom of religion, the right of the people to health services and proper health education shall be respected and emphasized at all times and no censure or penalty of whatever kind or nature shall be imposed on the exercise of said rights.

The government must set up on a national level emergency obstetrical care and provide facilities for maternity/pediatric cases with access to blood bank.  Information on the scope of reproductive health like fertility, contraception, abortion, reproductive tract infections, cancer risks and immunizations must be made available to the people.

                This actually puts a big stress in the patients and it also creates a big problem in the community because it puts the emotional judgment of one doctor about his/her stand in the Reproductive Health Bill over his ability to be rational. Doctors in this country have been doing this for a long time now. When it comes to issues like abortion, they would sometimes choose not to help patients who went through failed abortions. Even though abortion is not in the R.H. Bill, It is still likely to come up especially with teens. Even though doctors have taken an oath to treat patients who are in need, some of them would actually leave women to die because they refuse to treat them.

The Philippine Medical Association does not endorse making contraceptive devices/services available in schools.  The government should instead provide for properly educated reproductive health personnel who will give age-appropriate information and counseling.  The age of adolescence must be defined.

                Providing education to teens is never enough when it comes to the issue of sex. Just because teenagers have been taught what the concept of sex is doesn’t mean that they are less likely to explore the subject. I have known people who have been properly educated about sex who still explore in their teen years. The fact is there is no way of preventing teens from having sex. The only alternative is to actually teach them how to have safe sex and hope that they’ll be smart enough to remember it. But in order to do that. They must also be properly taught how contraceptives work and if that is the case then contraceptives must be made available and in order for that to happen, the R.H. Bill must push through. Isn’t that common sense? The only reason why doctors refuse to take part in the R.H. Bill is because they want to be absolved of any responsibility of having to treat someone who has undergone a failed abortion.

Read more: http://sexandsensibilities.com/2011/01/09/position-of-the-philippine-medical-association-on-the-proposed-rh-bill/

Rationality vs. Religion

                One of the many annoying things the church, and even politicians, like to do when they are being defensive is quote the bible. Whether it’s because they feel guilty or they need to advertise the “Word of God”, they never fail to quote the exact same thing over and over again.

                This is something that the church does especially when the argument strays to the topic of Reproductive Health Bill in the Philippines. It is always about how “God” commanded us to go fort and multiply and that we are obliged to follow an old book written by who-knows. The controversy here is whether we should still apply millennium-old teachings. We have grown to the point where discovery is prevalent and the excuse of using god as an explanation no longer applies. So is it really loyalty that binds us to our faith or is it simply ignorance and greed?

We examine the favorite Bible verse of the anti-RH Bill advocates. I refer to Genesis 1:28 which reads as follows:  “Then God blessed them, and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.’”  I caught at least two Roman Catholic (RC) bishops citing the verse to bolster their anti-RH Bill position and perhaps to  make it look like God is on their side on the controversy. In quoting the verse in the context of the RH Bill, these clergymen are merely exposing their inability to properly understand that particular verse. Either that or they are knowingly twisting the Word of God to suit their purposes which is even worse.

As far as this country is concerned, the answer to the question whether or not that particular divine command still holds can be found in the later part of Genesis 1:28 which, remarkably, the RC clergy leave out when they cite the verse:  “fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” This has already been accomplished in this country. The earth and the wildlife in this country have already been subdued for quite some time.  Consider the denuded mountains, the dry or dead rivers, the numerous species of flora and fauna which have already become extinct  and are becoming extinct due to the improvident activities  and sheer number of Filipinos. Our resources could hardly sustain the present population, so how much more when all the babies the RC clergy and their blind followers want to be born join us? 

                Maybe it is impossible to fully let go of such an old religion because it has been incorporated in our culture for such a long time and irrationality will always take over when we are overwhelmed by life but I believe that is possible to actually make some changes in our beliefs. True, such a thing may be difficult and almost impossible but what a better world this would be if we all based our beliefs in rationality instead of religion.

Read more: http://deadheroessociety.tumblr.com/post/5550610081/scriptures-not-anti-rh-bill

Pacquiao Is Nothing More Than a Celebrity Pawn

“Priest turns Pacquiao homecoming into anti-RH bill rally.” That was the title of the article written last May 15, 2011. It’s not really that shocking if you think about it. Lately what has the argument about the Reproductive Health Bill really been about except repeated arguments about “life” and “choice”? Are any of us really surprised that they finally decided to turn Manny Pacquiao into a celebrity pawn to advertise their side of the argument?

MANILA, Philippines—Boxing champion Manny Pacquiao’s customary thanksgiving Mass at the Quiapo Church upon his return from another successful bout Saturday, turned into a mini protest rally against the controversial reproductive health (RH) bill.

The insulting part in this article is that all this publicity looks more of a joke than something relevant. Has anyone noticed that the conversation goes to the direction of celebrities, politicians and the church rather than the people who actually need the Reproductive Health Bill? Why are a bunch of overpaid idiots deciding on something that is socially irrelevant to them? Why not actually let the people who really need it vote instead of letting idiots like Pacquiao decide on the issue? He’s a RICH BOXER. It’s his fists that matter in life not his opinion on something that focuses on the masses because he isn’t even included in that social class anymore. Even if he reassures people that he is still the exact same person he was before I’m sorry but bragging about wealth that can feed half of the nation is not humility; it’s arrogance. He said he intends to continue his fight not just inside the boxing ring but also against poverty. But is he really doing that? So far we’ve only seen him buy luxury items for his family and has actually done what for the society?

In his homily, Ignacio criticized the RH bill and urged Pacquiao not to support it and stick to his stand opposing it in Congress.

He reminded Pacquiao to never forget the Lord in Congress and to serve as God’s way of bringing back members of the House to the fold.

When he spoke, Pacquiao vowed never to support the RH bill because he said it was against God’s laws. He said he has long been against the proposed law.

He said what the bill was proposing was not the solution to poverty and stressed that Congress must act primarily to address the needs of the poor.

                In the end, these idiotic people who are arguing about the R.H. Bill turned this entire thing into nothing more than a publicity contest where they use iconic morons as pawns to advertise their motives. It’s not even about the issue anymore. It’s more about what these people are saying on TV and hoping that the masses will buy into their crap because they have someone like Manny Pacquiao on their side. Manny’s power is such a waste on him because in the end he turns out to be an ignorant pawn who buys into the games of politics and media.

Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20110515-336586/Priest-turns-Pacquiao-homecoming-into-anti-RH-bill-rally

U.N. For the R.H. Bill

MANILA Philippines The Philippines where an average of 11 women a day die giving birth could lower its high maternal death rate by having a reproductive health policy a visiting United Nations delegation said on Friday.

The absence of a national reproductive health policy especially for the poorest is a vital concern said Brian Bowler boss of the delegation of six U.N. bodies.

However he noted that religious views had to be considered in setting national laws. The Philippines is a Catholic country and like such it has very strong principles and of course religion must be observed said Bowler who is Malawis permanent representative to the U.N.

                See? Even others from the United Nations are saying that they are for the passing of the Reproductive Health Bill. Why are the people in the Philippines so persistent in the thought that they are better than everyone else even if they have nothing to show for it? They always have that mentality that even though other countries are progressing the Philippines is still the country that is right when it comes to ethics and decision making? It’s as if we’re taking pride at being left behind and because of that people are laughing at us behind our backs.

                We argue that we are always right when it comes to ethical decisions even if we’re are alone when we make that choice. The problem here is that once you’re the only one who believes that you actions is ethical you become the unethical one. That is because ethics is determined by the majority and not the minority. It is sometimes also made by the authority and obviously we are not the authority. So when you actually look at it, we are the ones who are unethical because we choose to reject change and progress.

The Philippines has one of the Asias fasted-growing populations which is nearing 100 million people. It also has one of the regions highest rates of maternal deaths. The problem was particularly severe in Muslim communities on Mindanao peninsula where 320 mothers died per 100000 live births double the national average Bowler said.

Efforts to enact a law that would promote access to sex education and contraception since the 1990s have been blocked by the powerful Roman Catholic Church which opposes access to and information about contraception methods.

The problem here is that the church thinks that the world can be supposedly “saved” through prayers and songs. But the time for blind faith and misdirected trust has passed. Humans have reached the point where they are no longer controllable and have lost the ability to restrain ourselves from destroying their home. The irony here is we may be the only creatures that are capable of creating religion and love but we’re also the most destructive and malicious animals in the world. We brag about ethics and morality but we are also responsible for more than half of the bad thhings that happen to this planet and everything in it.

Source: http://www.healthysexuallife.com/topic/view/id-6676

Unborn Child Bill???

Last June 1, 2011, it was written that senators who are opposed to the Reproductive Health Bill are starting to push another bill that completely counters the R.H. Bill. They call the new bill the Unborn Child Bill which “protects” and “gives rights” to an unborn child.

SENATORS opposed to the reproductive health bill are pushing for other bills outlawing contraceptives and drugs to counter the anticipated passing of the controversial measure in the House of Representatives, a move that a women’s group attacked on Tuesday.

Arguing for the provisions of the bill for the protection of the unborn child, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile sought before the committee on youth, women and demography a list of contraceptives and drugs that intervene with fertilization at the onset of conception.

                 I believe that this move is not only completely pointless but also a demonstration of what nutballs these people are. This attempt to block the R.H. Bill exhibits a form of stupidity because not only does it create an oxymoronic hassle in the Senate but it also implies that we should just drop the whole thing as if it never happened. It implies exactly that because the rough implications of the bill emphasizes on prioritizing the life of an “unborn child” thereby creating several overlapping rights between the mother and the “unborn child”. Another thing here is the problem of how people are going to react to it. Think about it. Before the R.H. Bill became such a big debate people were already breaking the law when it comes to abortion and contraceptives. Women get unwanted pregnancies all the time and they secretly get an abortion without caring about the consequences. A lot of them die and nothing is being done about it even until now. Condoms could be easily bought at the nearest drugstores even before the issue about contraceptives became a debate.

                People have been breaking the law when it comes to abortion and contraceptives for a long time. Who’s to say they won’t break it when it comes to that completely worthless bill? I actually question the intelligence of these people. If you’re going to come up with a way to block the R.H. Bill at least think of a better argument and a more subtle way than that.

She said the proposed law would make pregnancies even more risky for women. It would also remove decision-making during pregnancy complications away from the woman, her loved ones, and their health provider who were in the best position to balance the lives at stake and weigh the risks and consequences.

“It will transfer difficult choices to a distant, cold, and inflexible law,” Santiago said.

                Agreeably, it is an extremely inflexible proposal that indicates an obvious ulterior motive behind it. The question here is how do we stop these ridiculous games and get the government to actually start doing their jobs instead of sitting around, twiddling their thumbs while creating additional hassle that hinder actual and valid debates on more important matters.

Read more:  http://europeanprochoicenetwork.wordpress.com/2011/06/03/philippines-unborn-child-bill-slammed-for-delaying-rh-measure/

R.H. Bill Destroys Culture?

                Recently, the church has made an argument that attacks how the Reproductive Health Bill destroys the culture of the Filipinos. One of the archbishops pointed out that when the R.H. Bill is put into play it will ruin our culture and make people unhappy.

Pampanga Archbishop Paciano Aniceto said Filipinos should learn from the Americans where a policy on reproductive health resulted in a “culture of death.”

                First of all, how will the R.H. Bill destroy the culture of the Philippines? Is it because people can have sex all they want and not be as afraid of getting an unwanted pregnancy? Is that what he meant by culture being destroyed – that people can have sex before marriage? But the problem here is that people here aren’t as “religious” as the church claims. In fact, one hypocritical aspect of this culture is that its people’s sex life is closeted. People here claim that pre-marital sex is taboo and is not accepted and all that crap but in reality, people have sex all the time. And who can really blame them? It’s a natural instinct. Telling people to stop doing it is like telling people to stop eating or sleeping.

“We don’t have to be like the first-world countries. They’re rich but they’re unhappy. We must instead remain God-loving and peaceful Christians,” Aniceto said in a press conference at the opening of the congress at the Dusit Hotel in Makati last November 6.

                Here’s another question: Can people really be happy if they’re ignorant? Maybe yes but is it true happiness? I’ve always believed that the only time you can consider yourself happy is when you can actually acknowledge it. And the only people in this country who can afford to be happy are those who can afford to eat. Answer me this: How can you be happy if you have to struggle every day to feed your ten kids?

“Ours is an agricultural country, how much of the budget is dedicated to agriculture?” Odchimar asked.

He said it was ironic that despite the fact that the International Rice Research Institute is based in the Philippines, the country is a major importer of rice.

“Now, Vietnam, despite being devastated by war, is one of the top rice-producing countries after modernizing the agriculture sector. That is a sort of [proof of the] lopsided utilization of our resources,” Odchimar said.

The closing statement given by Archbishop Odchimar is actually a form of statement that some people will consider as a deflection. When you read it again it actually is a deflection. He slowly moves away from the point of the conversation and then brings up another problem that he can comfortably discuss. Talking about the agriculture of the country is actually convenient for him because it doesn’t contain any sensitive information for him. He then slowly manipulates that conversation by moving even further by providing a solution to the deflected problem.

All these arguments about the R.H. Bill is getting us nowhere because the arguments being created are not even making sense anymore. Isn’t it tiring to read about articles when the statements are getting dumber and dumber?

Read more: http://www.varsitarian.net/news/20101130/church_leaders_experts_rh_bill_may_ruin_filipino_culture

A Brief History About the Reproductive Health Bill

1914 – American nurse Margaret Sanger invents the term “birth control”.

1927 - Margaret Sanger organizes first World Population Conference in Geneva, including professors, doctors and scientists to establish credibility and rally people to her cause.

1942 - Planned Parenthood Federation of America is established to unite the efforts of eugenicists, population controllers and birth controllers.

1939-1948 - Increase in individual efforts in the Philippines by Presbyterian, Congregational, and other Protestant ministers to spread information about birth control.

1948 - Planned Parenthood awards a grant to Gregory Pincus, a research biologist who undertook a series of tests leading to the development of the birth control pill.

1952 - Population Council is founded by John D. Rockefeller III.

1957 The National Council of Churches establishes the Family Relations Center, a counseling clinic.

1960 - The US FDA approves the sale of oral pills for contraception.

1964 – The University of the Philippines Population Institute (UPPI) is formally established as a unit of the University of the Philippines, with an initial grant from the Ford Foundation. Its goal is to undertake population studies and train graduates in demography.

1967 – Seventeen heads of state including Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos sign the United Nations Declaration on Population which stresses that the “population problem” must be recognized as the principal element in long-term economic development. The Institute of Maternal and Child Health sets up the National Training Center for Maternal Health Service in accordance with an agreement between the National Economic Council, the Institute for Maternal and Child Health, and the US Agency for International Development.

1968 - The government starts to participate in population and family planning efforts by creating the Project Office for Maternal and Child Health in the Department of Health to coordinate family planning activities. Paul Ehrlich publishes the book Population Bomb, falsely foretelling a grim future of overpopulation and mass starvation in the 70’s and 80’s as a direct result of the dangerous links between population, resource depletion, and the environment. Reproductive rights develops as a subset of human rights at the United Nation's 1968 International Conference on Human Rights.

1969 – Philippine Population Program is officially launched through Executive Order No. 233, creating a study group known as the Population Commission (POPCOM).

1970 - First Earth Day. Peaceful demonstrations reflect environmental concerns, promotion of the idea that "population pollutes."

Early 1970's - Planned Parenthood International comes to the Philippines, working with local partner organizations to increase the provision of comprehensive reproductive health care services.

1971 – Republic Act 6365 aka Population Act of the Philippines is enacted into law by Congress. It establishes the national population policy and creates the national agency in charge of population, the Commission on Population (POPCOM).

1972 – President Ferdinand Marcos declares martial law. The Population Center Foundation is set up to forge a stronger partnership between the government and the private sector. Presidential Decree No. 79 revises Republic Act 6365, authorizing nurses and midwives, in addition to physicians, to provide, dispense, and administer all acceptable methods of contraception to those who desire to avail themselves of such services as long as these health workers have been trained and properly authorized by the POPCOM board.

1973 – Philippine Constitution expresses government commitment to deal with the "problem" of rapid population growth.

1974 – National Security Study Memorandum (NSSM) 200 - Kissinger Report is released in April in the US. In 1975, the United States adopts NSSM200 as its policy to give “paramount importance” to population control measures and the promotion of contraception among 13 populous countries, including the Philippines, to control rapid population growth which they deem to be inimical to the socio-political and economic growth of these countries and to the national interests of the United States.

1975 - The National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women (NCRFW) is established as “the Philippines’ premier gender and development portal providing access to resources and data on women in the Philippines.

1976 - Executive Order No. 123 attaches the Population Commission to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) as the population planning and coordinating agency. Presidential Decree No. 965 requires applicants for marriage licenses to receive instruction on family planning and responsible parenthood.

1977 - The National Population and Family Planning Outreach Project begins implementation. Between 1977 and 1979, 30,000 volunteers are recruited to provide contraceptive supplies and referrals. Presidential Decree No. 1204 amends certain sections of PD 79. This amendment further strengthens the powers of the Commission on Population in order for it to implement its functions more effectively.

1978 - Letter of Instruction No. 661 creates the Special Committee to Review the Philippine Population Program in the context of the overall development goals of the country and to recommend policy and program directions for the future.

1979 - CEDAW (Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women) Philippines is established, to “promote women's rights everywhere, by aligning laws with international obligations and treaties, to realize the goal of women's human rights.”

1986 – Pres. Cory Aquino issues Executive Order No. 123, attaching POPCOM to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) as the planning and coordinating agency for a 5-year plan to improve health, nutrition and family planning, with particular focus on maternal and child health, not on fertility reduction. During Aquino's administration, the Philippines still posts steady declines in population growth rates.

1987 - Democratic Socialist Women of the Philippines (DSWP) is founded as a socialist feminist organization involving “women’s right advocate” Elizabeth Angsioco, RHAN, et al.

1989 - The Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development (PLCPD) is established in Congress, “dedicated to the formulation of viable public policies requiring legislation on population management and socio-economic development.”

1990 - Executive Order No. 408 is issued, placing POPCOM under the control and supervision of the Office of the President in order to "facilitate coordination of policies and programs relative to population."

1991 - Executive Order No. 467 (476?) is issued, making POPCOM an attached agency of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA). PCF is renamed as Philippine Center for Population and Development (PCPD) on February 15, now with a wider scope beyond common concerns on population.

1992 - Fidel Ramos’ presidency shifts from population control to population management. Earth Summit on Sustainable Development is held in Rio de Janeiro, with several influential documents produced, including "Agenda 21" and "The Rio Declaration."

1993 - The Asian-Pacific Resource & Research Centre for Women (ARROW) is formally established in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (see ASAP study 2008-2009) as a sort of a middleman between funders and fundees. CRR’s partner, Reproductive Health, Rights, and Ethics Center for Studies and Training (ReproCen) is established as a joint project of the College of Law and the College of Medicine of the University of the Philippines System with support of the Ford Foundation. The Philippine Population Management Program and the Population, Resources and Environment Framework are adopted by the Ramos Administration.

1994 - "Ethical and Pastoral Dimensions of Population Trends” is published by the Pontifical Council for the Family.

1995 - The Likhaan Center for Women's Health (Philippines) is established, “a collective of grassroots women and men, health advocates and professionals dedicated to promoting and pushing for the health and rights of disadvantaged women and their communities,” with Dr. Junice Melgar as Executive Director.

1996 – Maguindanao, the largest of the five provinces of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) in terms of population and number of municipalities and barangays, is assisted by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) since the 4th Country Programme. Official UN terminology on contraceptive use is noted to have evolved from one euphemism (doublespeak) to another: from "safe motherhood" to "family planning" to "sexual health" and "reproductive health" to "fertility regulation" (which involves abortion).

1998 - Pres. Joseph Estrada uses mixed methods of reducing fertility rates. The first reproductive health measure is introduced in Congress, but is stalled on the committee level long before reaching the floor. Similar bills have been introduced almost every year since. Reproductive Health Advocacy Network (RHAN) is established. (See their Yahoogroup started in 2007.) IPPF presents its Youth Manifesto (Christopher Penales is a participant). Kiko de la Tonga becomes Youth Program Coordinator of Likhaan.

1999 - Felipe Medalla, Secretary of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and chair of the Board of POPCOM, unveils the idea of Philippine contraceptive self-reliance to the world at a meeting of the United Nations General Assembly in July.

2000 – In board meeting of January 31, POPCOM Board of Directors pass a resolution that launches the Contraceptive Independence Initiative and creates the multisectoral Technical Working Group.

2001 - Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s administration focuses on mainstreaming natural family planning, while stating that contraceptives are openly sold in the country.

2002 - WomenLEAD co-sponsors on December 9 a conference on the Women's Reproductive Rights as Human Rights sponsored by the Institute of Human Rights, University of the Philippines Law Center at Malcolm Hall, UP College of Law.

2003 - Clara Rita Padilla founds Engende Rights, which seeks to “raise awareness and access to emergency contraception to prevent unwanted pregnancies, post-exposure prophylaxis to prevent transmission of HIV/AIDS, and safe and legal abortion.”

2004 - The Department of Health introduces the Philippines Contraceptive Self-Reliance Strategy, arranging for the replacement of these donations with domestically provided contraception. The Waray-Waray Youth Advocates (WARAYA)is established as youth arm of Youth Innovation Fund of Family Planning Organization of the Philippines (FPOP). Forum for Family Planning and Development Inc (FFPD) starts its operations with the belief that prominent steps need to be taken to raise concerns on family planning and development

.

2005 - UNFPA works “to ensure the improvement of reproductive health of the people of Masbate.” The United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) Report is released. UNFPA Mountain Province is established. RHAN YOUTH is established. Lanao del Sur is included in UNFPA’s 6th Country Programme of Assistance in 2005, as it belongs to the 10 poorest provinces in the Philippines. In a Statement of Support, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo joins “the community of nations in expressing support for the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD).”

2006 – Ifugao becomes the first among the UNFPA provinces to pass a Reproductive Health Ordinance at the provincial level in July 2006. It is followed by the passage of the Gender and Development Code the following year. “Contraceptive use in Sultan Kudarat [is] 48.9% in 2005, almost equal to the 49% national average. This is still a long way to the 60 per cent contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR) target by 2012.” On October 10, 2006, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo issues guidelines and directive for the DOH, POPCOM, and local government units to take full charge of the implementation of the Responsible Parenthood and Family Planning Program.

2007 – Olongapo becomes the first city to pass a Reproductive Health Code, providing a P3 million annual budget to cover procurement of contraceptives, among others. The UNFPA Youth is established. The UN-initiated Youth Association of the Philippines starts its formal operation in October. The International Planned Parenthood Federation’s Comprehensive Sexuality Education Framework is released. Women's Global Network for Reproductive Rights (WNGRR) transfers its Coordinating Office to the Philippines from Amsterdam. Dr. Sylvia “Guy” Claudio Estrada of the Philippines serves as the Board Chair of WNGRR. (2007 Details)

2008 - Contraceptive use goes down mainly due to non-availability of free contraceptives. Sulu becomes the first province in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and the entire Mindanao to have its own Provincial Reproductive Health Ordinance. 37 participants from 13 countries meet in Kuala Lumpur in March and form the Asia Safe Abortion Partnership (ASAP), facilitated by the International Consortium for Medical Abortion.

2009 - The International Alliance of Young Nurse Leaders (AYNLA) is established, to “advocate for the UN MDGs and nurses' rights that started in the Philippines.” The United Nations Youth Association of the Philippines Cagayan de Oro Chapter is established.

2010 – Dr. Esperanza Cabral is appointed by Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as Secretary of Department of Health. Sen. Benigno Aquino III and Sen. Mar Roxas run in the national elections, with the RH Bill in their platform; Aquino wins as president. Cabral expresses support for the RH Bill. Pres. Aquino replaces Cabral with Sec. Enrique Ona as Department of Health Secretary. Pres. Aquino vows to sign the Bill into law. Reproductive Health Practitioners Network of the Philippines (RHPN) is established, involving nurse Prof. Alvin Cloyd Dakis, founder and national president of the AYNLA and representative of RHAN Youth. IPPF Report calls for youth sex rights and reveals new UN funding. The Intercollegiate Asian Parliamentary Debate Tournament is held, to stir youth action on MDGs. WARAYA receives funding from IPPF (Planned Parenthood). The Summit on the Millennium Development Goals is held. LGBT Philippines is on Facebook. The Women's Global Network for Reproductive Rights (WNGRR) publishes "Recommitting to the Struggle for Safe, Legal Abortion" for its members and partners, which includes Likhaan. (2010 Details) Dr. Elard Koch's studies show that legalizing abortion isn't necessary to reduce maternal and infant deaths.10

2011 - The Young People for the Passage of RH Bill is founded. Other women NGOs are established. In the 15th Congress, five similar bills are introduced to the House and consolidated in January 2011 by the House Committee on Population and Family Relations. The consolidated bill is scheduled for plenary session in mid-February.

Source: http://www.geeky-guide.com/2011/06/philippines-i-support-rh-bill.html

A Better Church Than the Church

          Last June 5 2011, the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc (FFCCCII) backed President Aquino’s responsible parenthood policy. According to Tan Ching,, FFCCCII president, they agree with Aquino that the quality of life of the 95 million Filipinos can be improved through the Reproductive Health bill or responsible parenthood.

          In my opinion, I actually consider this a positive and motivational thing because here, we can actually see people who are rational and logical side with the Reproductive Health Bill. It actually quite ironic that those who don’t really need the R.H. Bill are the ones siding it instead of those who need it in their lives. Think about it. The FFCCCII is an organization composed of mostly volunteers who join in order to help the community. They perform services and rarely ask for anything in return.

FFCCCII also conducts regular medical missions nationwide. Its members provide free medical and dental services to indigent patients through its Operation: Mobile Clinic.

A bus equipped with medical facilities like X-ray, ECG and ultrasound have been provided for the project.

Since the 1960s, FFCCCII has set up volunteer fire brigades to help the government in firefighting. It has also extended relief assistance in times of natural calamities and disasters.

Aquino commended the FFCCCII for giving “so much for the country’s progress.”“You have consistently spurred our economic growth through your enterprises, and many members of your community continue to display professional excellence in many different sectors,” he said.

Aquino said the FFCCCII’s project of building classrooms will help the administration achieve its goal of constructing 11,926 classrooms to give students an environment in which they can focus on their lessons.

          This means that in order to be a part of an organization that focuses on volunteer work, one must first be able take care of his/her family first. In reality they don’t really need the R.H. Bill because they are responsible enough to prioritize their lives and have a responsible lifestyle. The problem here is that it’s less fortunate ones who are against the R.H. Bill even though the main purpose of the R.H. Bill is to help people like them. What’s actually worse is that it’s also those who don’t need the R.H. Bill are the ones who understand its concept and those who are less fortunate are the ones who are ignorantly being misled by false information and idiotic beliefs.

          This is actually a very good example of what it means to be a free and independent thinker. The FFCCCII exhibits the ability to maintain their free will and to do good while being able to do what’s right for society. If ever the church decides to counter the beliefs of the FFCCCII then I’ll ask the church what gives them the right to counter these beliefs. These people have actually done something for society. Instead of nagging about what should be done bragging about their authority, they actually volunteer to help people without judging who they are and who to help. It’s funny but the FFCCCII actually makes a better church than the church.

R.H. Bill vs. Divorce Bill 2

                The recent reintroduction of divorce in our country has further pushed the church into its defensive edge. Not only that, it has also further worsen the argument of church vs. state and ethics vs. rationaility. Because one controversies are directed into the same ethical argument as the other, it is only natural that people start comparing one controversy with the other. In fact people are already starting to question several ethical concept such as: which controversy is more unethical? Which is more logical? And which is worse? A recent article in cathnews actually delves a bit into the argument involving both the Reproductive Health Bill and the Divorce Bill. An official of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines stated her opinion regarding the Reproductive Health Bill and Divorce Bill.


An official of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said the divorce bill is a threat to the family worse than the reproductive health bill.


“If we compare the divorce and RH bills, divorce directly destroys what is good, and that is the marriage bond, while the RH bill does the same but indirectly,” said CBCP legal counsel Jo Imbong.


The CBCP calls the RH bill anti-life for promoting the use of artificial contraceptives as a family planning method.


The Church is also against the introduction of divorce in the country. The Philippines is now the only Catholic country, except for the Vatican, which does not allow divorce. Late last month, Malta voted in a referendum in favor of introducing a divorce law.

                Personally, I don't really fully understand how Divorce can possibly worse than the Reproductive Health Bill. How is that possible? They keep putting value in life yet they chose to put more importance in the concept of marriege (which is just a status symbol) rather than the “value of the live” of a child. That doesn't really make sense to me when you look at it in ethical perspective.

Monsignor Juanito Figura, CBCP secretary general, said the RH and the divorce bills contradict each another.


“The idea of entertaining the divorce bill, at this point, is, in itself, inconsistent with what the RH bill is even trying to propose. The RH bill is a remedy to a growing population,” he said in a recent press briefing.

                Though I don't really agree with Figura because I don't think that they contradict each other. In my opinion, the Reproductive Health Bill is more of a possible asset to society and the Divorce Bill simply focuses on a domestic perspective and it simply corrects a small detail in the life of a person. I don't really think that people should make such a big deal in the concept of divorce because it doesn't really matter if you're divorce or not. If a person really wanted to walk away from a marriage then he/she could have if he/she really wanted to whether they are divorced or not. Divorse is simply a concept written on a paper and the only reason why people put a big deal on it is because everyone else does.

Source: http://www.cathnewsphil.com/2011/06/08/cbcp-divorce-worse-than-rh-bill/

Church is Just a Political Institution

In a recent interview with CBCP News, Jose Cardinal Sanchez, the eldest of the country’s three living cardinals, gave his thoughts about the RH bill.
He said that President Aquino was now “losing his popularity” and because of this, Congress would not be able to pass the bill. He then urged Catholic bishops to go on a charm offensive and befriend congressmen to win them over to the Church’s side in the RH debate.

                In a way when you look at this statement, it is somewhat ironic to hear the church say that bishops should go on a charm offensive and befriend congressmen because isn't that one of the evils that the church has been fighting against for centuries – hypocritical politicians? And now because its foundation is being threatened, it chooses to act exactly the same way as the evil it has been built to fight against.

I also cannot quite understand the cardinal’s statement that “it is too much politics now and no longer religion.” Can’t this accusation be flung at the cardinal himself?

                I actually agree with the author that this isn't about religion anymore. I doubt that this is anything more than a political debate between two powers of the nation. It is no longer about morality or ethics. What then is the purpose of the church now that they've actually forgotten their purpose in society. They claim that by accepting the Reproductive Health Bill you become unethical but in reality they themselves have lost the ability to become ethical.

Cardinal Sanchez suggested that the government should try improving the lot of Filipino families by increasing their income instead of “destroying” them, using the RH bill. Assuming that government succeeds in improving the lot of Filipino families, won’t the effects of increased income be diluted or negated when we end up having more children and mouths to feed and care for as a result of the Church’s ineffective birth rate control methods?

                This statement has also been bothering me because is it really the job of the government to fix a broken family?I believe that family issue is a domestic and private business that is not suppose to be intervened by anyone outside the family unless the family allows it. It is not the government's job to fix a family. It is its job to fix the country.

On the matter of fewer priests, we have fewer priests now, and not in 50 years’ time as the cardinal predicts. The Church should shoulder a bigger share in the cost of educating seminarians, instead of relying on benefactors. The cardinal mentioned tendencies that threaten to destroy the Catholic Church. These tendencies, while not primarily aimed at destroying the Church, will be exacerbated by the Church’s obstinate refusal to accept the fact that the world has indeed changed.

                The bottom line is that times have change and people have change. People no longer have as much faith in the church as before because people have also noticed that the church is nothing more than a political institution with a big cross in the middle.

Read more:http://opinion.inquirer.net/6165/filipino-families-already-being-destroyed-even-before-rh-bill

Arrogance of a Priest

                Recently, the church has once again showed its arrogance over those who disagree with its beliefs. What ever happened to the ethics that the church constantly pushes about treating everyone equally no matter who they are? “Love your neighbor as you would love yourself”. Isn’t that what they always blabber about? Why is it that when they see someone broken they have the urge to brag about helping them but when someone is against their beliefs they instantly recoil back into their shell? I thought that they claimed to be better than most people? In the end no one, not even the church is above other ordinary behavior.

A senior Catholic Church official in Cebu has refused to meet members of a Catholic group supporting the reproductive health (RH) bill, saying “Catholics for RH are not authentic."

According to an article on the Union of Catholic Asian News (UCANews), Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma said he will not meet with the group "Catholics for Reproductive Health (C4RH)," which was conducting a forum on the RH bill.

“No, if they think they represent Catholics, I am not giving them an audience," he said. "They are not recognized as Catholics."

“Public espousal of measures that directly undermine… non-negotiable principles of the Catholic faith is a sharp wedge that cuts the unity of the Church," he warned.

“Any Catholic who freely identifies him or herself with this group gravely errs," he added.

                And Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma is so arrogant that he wouldn’t grant Catholics who side with the Reproductive Health Bill an audience. Now that’s just plain arrogance. Maybe he actually forgot that he was a priest and not a king. Now even though I agree with his statement that Catholics who go against the beliefs of their religion is hypocritical in its own way, I also see an arrogant hypocrite in Archbishop Palma because he is also going against what a priest should be. And he actually has the nerve to charge 100 to 200 for people who wish to participate in his “seminar of advocating life”. I mean, if you really believe that what you’re doing is right why are charging an admission fee? Is it because he thinks that he is better than everyone else and that’s why he’s so arrogant?  

Meanwhile, student leaders of "Catalyst," the outreach organization of the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) invited an international "pro-life" speaker to hold seminars on the RH issue.

Noting the relevance of the subject and urgency of the theme, "Catalyst" is inviting fellow youth in various communities and schools to join in the activity.

The symposium will be held at the Li Seng Giap Auditorium, with simultaneous CCTV feed in Telengtan Hall and PLDT Hall at the University of Asia and the Pacific.

Participants will be charged P100 to P200 for admission tickets, the CBCP said. - VVP,

This actually proves that this argument is going nowhere because people are so busy reacting to their emotions instead of being rational. If the pride of being better surpasses the pride of being right then this argument will never truly be solved.

Read more: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/223330/nation/bishop-catholics-for-rh-not-authentic