1. Tagbilaran Bishop
Mendroso urges vigilance
vs RH Bill
“Although it is good news to us Catholics against the RH bill, we should be cautious
because they might still work on it in subtle ways,”
“I hope our prolife congressmen will be vigilant because (other representatives)
might work on it behind our backs,”
By: Jose Carlo Tonogbanua
2. What is a RH Bill?
The Reproductive Health bills, popularly
known as the RH Bill, are Philippine
Bills aiming to guarantee universal access to
methods and information on birth
control and maternal care. The bills have
become the center of a contentious national
debate.
There are presently two bills with the same
goals:
House Bill No. 4244 or An Act Providing
for a Comprehensive Policy on
Responsible Parenthood, Reproductive
Health, and Population and
Development, and For Other Purposes &
Senate Bill No. 2378 or An Act Providing
For a National Policy on Reproductive
Health and Population and
Development.
3. What is happening? Is the
newspaper reporting reliable?
It very much is. This article
was written by Jocelyn R. Uy
for the Philippine Inquirer and
was published on February
2, 2012. The article is about
RH bill, which was passed last
2010 on the House and
Senate, which would be the
least of their priority especially
now because of the CJ Trial.
4. Why is this a social problem?
Because it’s a conflict between the legion
and the population growth of the
country, which is one of the most difficult
problems because it is inclined with
poverty.
VS
6. Is this a national, regional, or
local problem? Is this social
problem global as well?
It does indeed fall under
national, regional and
local problems.
However, I am not sure
that there is such as RH
bill or the likes in other
countries.
7. What are the causes and harmful
effects of this problem?
By following the RH bill, the population of our
country will be controlled. However, it would
be against our Catholic beliefs.
8. Why is this a problem of religious
faith and justice?
It is a problem because religiously speaking, God told us to
spread Christianity which can be done by bearing more
children. On the contrary, the more the population, the
more POVERTY rises.
MORE POPULATION = HIGHER
CHANCE OF POVERTY
9. What major lessons/themes/principles of
Catholic Social Teachings are violated or
contradicted by the social problem? Explain
why a specific lesson is violated or
contradicted.
Human Dignity
Every human being should not be deprived of life.
Community & the Common Good
Our Church teaches that the role of the government is to
protect human life and human dignity and promote the common
good.
Rights and Responsibilities
Every person has a fundamental right to life and a right to
those things required for human decency.
10. What are the government officials
doing about it?
Presently, this bill is under observation by
our local government officials. There are
many debates regarding this issue
because this issue bears a silver lining
between Catholic morality and practicality
especially nowadays.
12. What can you do about it?
Personally, I prefer to
have less children, not
because of the RH
bill, but to have a more
practical life. In this
case, I’m still following
my Catholic virtues, at
the same time, dealing
less with poverty.
13. What can others do about it?
I think it depends on
the person. Everyone
has his/her own
judgment and we
need to respect that.
