In expressing his fears, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines Episcopal Commission on Family and Life executive secretary Fr. Melvin Castro noted that Aquino was a "strong advocate" of the bill.
"That’s what I’m afraid of because his position is not clear. We are afraid because we don’t know yet the thinking of the incoming administration," Castro said in an article posted on the CBCP news site Wednesday night.
The CBCP noted Aquino was a strong advocate of the RH bill but kept relatively quiet on the matter during the campaign period.
The RH bill pushes both natural and artificial contraceptives and has been slammed by the Catholic Church, which espouses only natural family planning methods.
The RH bill, or An Act Providing for a National Policy on Reproductive Health, Responsible Parenthood and Population Development, has long been pending in Congress.
The House version proposes, among others, mandatory age-appropriate reproductive health education starting in Grade 5, and the purchase of contraceptives by state hospitals as part of its essential medicines and supplies.
House Bill 5043 was up for plenary debates when Congress adjourned last February. Its Senate version, Senate Bill 3122, was also up for interpellation.
DOH chief to be retained?
At the same time, Castro said he was saddened over reports that Health Secretary Esperanza Cabral may be retained in the Cabinet under Aquino, even though there has been no official word from Aquino's camp on this matter.
"We are deeply saddened by this. It’s very clear that Cabral’s policies are very consistent with the RH bill," Castro said.
Even without the passage of the RH bill, Castro said Cabral can still "effectively" implement her strong promotion of condoms and pills.
Cabral and the Catholic Church hierarchy have been at loggerheads over the issue on the use of artificial contraceptives, which the CBCP branded as "immoral."
"We are appealing to him (Aquino) to reconsider, since there are also other more efficient government officials that do not subscribe to her (Cabral’s) way of thinking," added Castro. — RSJ/LBG
FDA approves single-rod contraceptive implant.(News): An article from: Skin & Allergy News
