POSITION PAPER ON THE RH BILL

By the Christian Pro-life Resources for the Philippines

These are the reasons why we say NO to the RH bill:
The RH bill carries with it an oppressive punishment for people who will not comply with it, making disagreeing
with it and teaching something contrary to it a crime. Section 21 of the RH bill says that "the ... ff. acts are prohibited: any
healthcare service provider, whether public or private, who shall knowingly withhold information or impede the
dissemination thereof, and/or intentionally provide incorrect information regarding programs and services on reproductive
health including the right to informed choice and access to a full range of legal, medically-safe and effective family planning
methods" BUT- who defines what is correct or incorrect here? The RH bill and its proponents. If the RH bill proponents
says that an IUD is not abortifacient, and abortion is not wrong, and that life does not begin at conception, all of which are
totally wrong and against Christian principles, so when Christian health workers will teach about the sanctity of life and
that life begins at conception, and that sex should only be between married couples, we will be violating the RH bill and
committing crimes once it becomes law.
The RH Bill undermines the institution of marriage. As Christians do not have any doctrine prohibiting ligation, you
may think it may not be of concern to many Christians, but the RH bill considers a prohibited act (Sec 21) if a health worker
" refuses to perform voluntary ligation and vasectomy and other legal and medically-safe reproductive health care services
on any person of legal age on the ground of lack of spousal consent or authorization". The Catholic and Muslim nurses
and doctors who refuse to perform ligation or vasectomy, will be committing a crime. We do not malign or disdain Catholics
on this matter. It is against their doctrine. BUT, for us, the RH bill terribly undermines marriage: the Bill puts into law that
a woman or man does NOT have to have spousal consent or authorization to have a ligation or vasectomy. And if a health
worker refuses to perform this procedure, on this particular ground of lack of spousal consent, he or she will be committing
a crime. Christian, Catholic and Muslim marriages will be affected by this.
The RH bill undermines parental authority and undermines the family, which are against Christian principles. The
RH Bill will punish those health workers (Sec. 21) who "refuse to provide reproductive health care services to an abused
minor, whose abused condition is certified by the proper official or personnel of the Department of Social Welfare and
Development (DSWD) or to a duly DSWD-certified abused pregnant minor on whose case no parental consent is
necessary". What does it mean by “reproductive health care services to an abused pregnant minor”? Pregnant young
women all the more need parental guidance and consent is necessary for whatever "reproductive health services" will be
done on these young abused women! Why doesn't the bill specify what "reproductive health services" will be done on
such minors, who are already pregnant? Is this bill trying to hide the use of abortion or the use of abortifacient chemical
contraceptives like the “emergency contraceptive” as "solutions" offered to an abused minor who is already pregnant?
And all without a parent's consent, which is totally unacceptable to Christian doctrine.
The RH bill has a conscientious objection provision, BUT, it negates it by REQUIRING by law "that the
conscientious objector shall immediately refer the person seeking such care and services to another health care service
provider within the same facility or one which is conveniently accessible". (Sec. 21) So even if a Catholic or Muslim doctor
refuses to perform a ligation, they are required to refer. People who conscientiously object must NOT be required to refer.
They are already objecting.
The RH Bill will require Christian churches and schools to provide reproductive health care services to its
employees. All abortifacient forms of birth control, those that prohibit the conceived embryo from implanting in the uterine
wall, are unacceptable to Christian teachings. The RH Bill will require employers to provide “reproductive health care
services, supplies and devices to all workers, more particularly women workers.” The RH bill will punish employers for not
following section 17, which states: “all Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) shall provide for the free delivery by the
employer of reasonable quantity of reproductive health care services, supplies and devices to all workers, more particularly
women workers. In establishments or enterprises where there are no CBAs or where the employees are unorganized, the
employer shall have the same obligation.” So employers are required to provide reproductive health care to its employees!
Remember, this will become a law. This will affect Christian, Catholic and Muslim employers, even Christian churches
and schools, because our churches and schools have employees. Remember, intrauterine devices and some birth control
pills are abortifacient, meaning they prevent implantation of an already-conceived embryo. Life begins at conception,
therefore, anything that kills an embryo or prevents it from implanting causes an abortion or death of the human embryo.
As Christians, we know that life begins at conception. We reject any form of any birth control that kills a conceived life.
Contrary to claims by RH bill proponents in Congress that abortion is not mentioned, the bill specifically mentions
abortion in Sec. 4 in its definition of terms: It lists as the fourth element of reproductive health care the "prevention of
abortion and management of post-abortion complications". You may say, but it prevents abortion, what's wrong? But why
must "management of post-abortion complications" be part of reproductive health? Abortion is a crime. Why must the RH
bill specifically mention management of post-abortion complications? It specifies "abortion" as the cause of the
complication. What this does is that it sets apart induced, illegal, morally wrong, criminal abortion as a procedure or cause
necessitating management. Why not just make it a more general "provision of emergency obstetric care to everyone who
needs it"? The very fact that abortion is specified as the cause of the complication means that the RH bill condones
abortion and gives it special treatment. Abortion is murder of the unborn baby and a grievous sin before God. It is the
shedding of innocent blood. It is a crime under Philippine laws.
The RH bill will teach the entire nation, especially the young people, its definitions of human sexuality, sex, sexual
identity, interpersonal relationships, affection, intimacy and gender roles. They will also define contraception and abortion.
In Section 4, the RH bill defines “Reproductive health education” as “the process of acquiring complete, accurate and
relevant information on all matters relating to the reproductive system, its functions and processes and human sexuality;
and forming attitudes and beliefs about sex, sexual identity, interpersonal relationships, affection, intimacy and gender
roles. It also includes developing the necessary skills to be able to distinguish between facts and myths on sex and
sexuality; and critically evaluate. and discuss the moral, religious, social and cultural dimensions of related sensitive issues
such as contraception and abortion.” Once again, who decides what is correct and What are facts? The Bill and its
proponents determine that. And once it is a law, whatever they (the proponents and the Population Commission) define
these things to be, will be what is correct and anyone who teaches otherwise will be committing crimes. And once again,
abortion is mentioned. Abortion has nothing to do with “responsible parenthood” and “family planning”.
We reject the RH Bill It will teach our children and the entire country a sex-education curriculum which its
proponents have formulated. The RH Bill says in Sec. 12, “Mandatory Age-Appropriate Reproductive Health
Education.”– “Reproductive Health Education in an age-appropriate manner shall be taught by adequately trained
teachers starting from Grade 5 up to Fourth Year High School ... The POPCOM, in coordination with the Department of
Education, shall formulate the Reproductive Health Education curriculum, which shall be common to both public and
private schools and shall include related population and development concepts in addition to the following subjects and
standards: Reproductive health and sexual rights; Reproductive health care and services; Attitudes, beliefs and values
on sexual development, sexual behavior and sexual health; Proscription of the hazards of abortion and management of
post-abortion complications; Responsible parenthood. Use and application of natural and modern family planning methods
to promote reproductive health, achieve desired family size and prevent unwanted, unplanned and mistimed pregnancies;
Abstinence before marriage; Prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS and other, STIs/STDs, prostate cancer, breast cancer,
cervical cancer and other gynecological disorders; Responsible sexuality; and Maternal, peri-natal and post-natal
education, care and services.” While prevention of AIDS and STDs, abstinence before marriage and responsible
parenthood are good, there is nothing good with the government teaching “Attitudes, beliefs and values on sexual
development, sexual behavior and sexual health” to our children! Plus, once again they have managed to insert “abortion”
again. What will be taught about the “hazards of abortion”? Abortion is 100% fatal and 100% hazardous to the unborn
baby who has been aborted! Why must “management of post-abortion complications” be taught in sex education?
We reject the RH bill because it’s really about money for contraceptive manufacturers and suppliers. The RH bill
puts into law that contraceptives will be made into essential medicines . Sec. 10 says “Hormonal contraceptives,
intrauterine devices, injectables and other allied reproductive health products and supplies shall be considered under the
category of essential medicines and supplies which shall form part of the National Drug Formulary and the same shall be
included in the regular purchase of essential medicines and supplies of all national and local hospitals and other
government health units.” The RH bill only lays the groundwork for government purchases of contraceptives, including
some contraceptives that are abortifacient, which we reject.
We reject the RH bill because it encourages a two-child policy. In Sec. 16, “Ideal Family Size” it says: “The State
shall assist couples, parents and individuals to achieve their desired family size within the context of responsible
parenthood for sustainable development and encourage them to have two children as the ideal family size. Attaining the
ideal family size is neither mandatory nor compulsory. No punitive action shall be imposed on parents having more than
two children.” While it says that it is not mandatory or compulsory, it will still become a law, meaning, the law will encourage
this two-child policy. If it is written in the law, it will be part of legislated health policy. Previous versions of the RH Bill (the
past HB 3773) even had a provision that government scholarships will only be extended to the first two children in a family.
Surprisingly, it is no longer in the present bill. But what if this is put into the implementing rules and regulations? And
people who will have large families will be stigmatized even if they are not punished.
Whatever is good in the bill is already legal and is being done. Yes, women who aborted/killed their children must not be
refused emergency obstetric care. But RA 8344, already penalizes the refusal of hospitals and medical clinics to
administer appropriate initial medical treatment and support in emergency and serious cases. Women who have
aborted/killed their babies are already given emergency obstetric care through this act. HIV-AIDS programs are already
in place through RA 8504,the "Philippine AIDS Prevention and Control Act of 1998". The RH bill tries to encompass so
many health issues under it such that people who reject the RH bill are viewed as anti-women, anti-health, anti-HIV
prevention and anti-development.
But now we have shown you what is definitely worth rejecting in the RH bill-it is the hidden agenda tucked into the RH
bill, the oppressive nature of the bill toward those who reject it, the values it undermines and the questionable “values” it
will try to teach.
Migrants’ Election Manifesto
A group called “Concerned Overseas Filipinos Worldwide” is harnessing the power of Filipino overseas to effect change
in the country through this coming election.
It has come out with the following manifesto:
We, the Overseas Filipinos worldwide, urge each and everyone in the coming May electoral contest to implore all political
parties, emerging parties and their respective candidates to bring forth a platform-based campaign so that the electorate
can choose credible persons who are worthy to lead the nation. In order to advance democratic governance in the
Philippines, there should be a structure or process of reform that promotes increasingly participatory and accountable
governance. In this context, the will and voice of the people should be respected at all times and the sanctity of the ballots
must be safeguarded.

“The root causes of human insecurity in the Philippines – and thus, threats to overall peace and development – include
conditions of inequity, with an elite few controlling power and economic resources; abject poverty; poor governance;
injustice, abuse of authority and violations of human rights; and marginalization of minority groups. And yet, squandering
of billions of pesos from legitimate and illegitimate sources had been a common scenario in a personality and patronage
based electoral contest. The proposed platform based campaign is envisioned to change this bad practice. In order to
sustain poverty reduction, there must be equitable growth and the poor people who are in the majority must have political
power – i.e. with a real voice and space. The powerful and/or the elites – whether political leaders, corporations or other
influential actors – must be held accountable for their actions; more specifically, they must be held accountable for their
success or failure in their individual or party platform of promised good governance.
We are calling for robust, transparent, internally democratic and accountable political parties in order to develop a stronger
democratic culture in the Philippines. Otherwise, the right to choose will remain to be pre-empted by the elites that own
the political process, including the political organizations.
We challenge those who want to become legitimate servants and leaders to articulate a concrete and doable
developmental plan aimed at the Filipino migrant workers around the world. We pledge to support legitimate servants of
the people running for any public position that aggressively promote the interest of our sector on the following issues:
1) Institute meaningful comprehensive electoral reforms starting with the removal of the residency requirement inserted
at the last minute by congress in the Absentee Voting Law. Introduce laws that will create a transparent campaign
expenditures and verifiable financial source imposing a limit to individual, group, and corporate campaign donations.
2) Creation of an office with a Cabinet status such as the Ministry of Migration and Development that will truly work for the
interests of migrant workers. This office must be led by a Minister whose primary task is to manage orderly labor migration,
harness the development potentials of migration and development (co-development). Set up an advisory board composed
of qualified, dedicated, and credible Overseas Filipinos to advice the Ministry. In addition, the Ministry must:
• See to it that the rights of migrants are protected.
• Facilitate return migration and in such a way that overseas Filipinos who wish to return voluntarily remain active in the
labor force or has the necessary means to secure his or her financial future including their families.
• Monitor the performance of government agencies in charge of migrant workers (OWWA, etc.) and particularly to review
structures relating to the migrant workers trust fund to enable migrants to have an effective voice and meaningful
representation in policy formation, and to ensure proper administration and management of their fund.
• Explore ways to address present gaps and barriers that hinder the effective mobilization, distribution, monitoring, and
accountability procedures, in order to achieve economies of scale in current Filipino Diaspora giving, including possibilities
of replicating the Mexican experience
• Facilitate creation of an enabling environment (investments, provide financial services including housing, insurance,
education, savings, etc. for migrants) that fully harness the development potentials of Philippine migration.
• Encourage multi-stakeholder approach to development and promote public-private partnerships.
• Support and stimulate the transnational role of Overseas Filipinos so that they can contribute to the country’s
development; while the government on the other hand, should establish a systematic way of tapping these skills (not only
waiting for their remittances).
• Strengthen the capacity of Philippine consulates and representative offices worldwide to better serve the needs of
migrant Filipino workers.
3) Promote good governance, honesty, and accountability of our government servants from the highest to lowest position.
The virtue of servant-leadership must be practiced.
4) Promote the welfare of our women, elderly and children.
5) Access to a better education and health services for all. [iv]
We urge government groups, media facilities, civil society, church organizations, and other responsible citizens, to
organize and support pre-election public forums and other similar initiatives requiring candidates or party representatives
to debate and publicly present their platforms on where they stand regarding these migrant issues. This will enable the
citizenry, including eligible overseas voters and members of their families in the Philippines , in making informed decisions
and to help ensure that only those candidates with clear and sincere intentions of promoting the welfare of the migrant
sector, their families, and millions of poor people in our country are elected to public office.