Instead of focusing on the Reproductive Health (RH) bill, the government should exert more effort in fighting poverty through anti-corruption measures, world boxing champ and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao said Sunday.
“Ang solusyon sa kahirapan, yung korupsyon, sugpuin. Kailangan siguro bago ‘yan matupad, magkaisa tayo para sugpuin ang korupsyon," Pacquiao said during GMA News TV’s RH Grand Debate aired Sunday night.
Pacquiao joined the taped debate a day after he met with officials of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) to discuss his anti-RH bill stand. He also stood up to oppose House Bill 4244 last Wednesday during plenary debates on the measure at the House of Representatives.
Pacquiao, a devout Catholic often seeing praying inside the ring, insisted that the RH bill is against the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.
“Labag sa kalooban ng Panginoon na kontrolin natin ang panganganak. Nakalagay sa Bibliya na, ' go to the world and multiply'. Walang sinabi kung ilang anak lang," he said.
He added that there is no need to pass the RH bill since people are already using artificial contraceptives even without the benefit of legislation.
“Ngayon pa lang gumagamit na ang mga tao ng pills, condom at kung ano pa man. Bakit pa kailangan ipasa ang RH bill? Siguro kailangan natin i-educate ang tao kung paano sila magkakaroon ng magandang family planning na hindi labag sa kautusan ng Panginoon," he said.
Gina Conde, a women’s group leader in the audience, expressed disappointment over Pacquiao’s stand.
“Nakalulungkot isipin na ang ini-idolo namin sa boxing ay ganito ang pananaw," she said.
She added that a lot of poor families in her area want the government to support them in planning the size of their families.
The latest version of the RH bill provides for free services, including artificial contraceptives, for all Filipinos who want access to family planning methods. — ELR/KBK/YA/HS
