OPINION: FORUM FOR FAMILY PLANNING
MANILA, OCTOBER 10, 2010 (STAR) Dahli Aspillera ('The CBCP called on the members of the 14th Congress members to absent themselves during RH Bill deliberations. -- Ben de Leon')
CHURCH, State and Family Planning: Draw the Line or Toe the Line?
This was the theme of one more press conference held in the recent past, on the ongoing Family Planning and Reproductive Health Bill confrontation, where the RC church is full speed in blocking the President's mandate of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for its citizens -- hose who have less in life must have more in law.
Held early this week in Quezon City, the gathering was organized by The FORUM for Family Planning & Development, Inc.
Invited speakers were Dr. Edelina dela Paz, executive director, Health Action Information Network and National Coordinator, Catholics for Reproductive Health Movement; Atty. Marlon J. Manuel, counsel for Carlos Celdran ("Damaso!") and coordinator, Alternative Law Groups; Rep. Luz Ilagan, Gabriela Party List and RH bill author.
Invited reactors were Dr. Junice D. Melgar, executive director, Linangan ng Kababaihan; Benjamin de Leon, president, The Forum for FP & Development; Elizabeth Angsioco, national president of Democratic Socialist Women of the Philippines.
Concerned Filipinos are on their toes on the RC church distraction in P-Noy's position: Provide the poor with contraceptives if they want contraceptives but have no money to buy.
Note that we are endorsing contraceptives. We are not about abortifacient -- to cause abortion. Any woman can go to a public OB-Gyn physician who can advice her on contraceptives. All OB-Gyns are able to separate and distinguish between a contraceptive and an abortifacient.
No OB-Gyn will prescribe abortifacients (pampalaglag) because this is illegal. Abortion is a crime in the Philippines. Abortion-seekers and abortionists are punishable with excommunication by the Romano church. There are illegal abortionists in every town, but I have not heard of one abortionist or abortion-seeker excommunicated by the RC church.
New players have sparked greater interest in this long running confrontation after the Manila Cathedral "Damaso" demonstration by popular tour guide, artist and commercial model, Carlos Celdran. He dressed circa 1900 as the national hero Jose Rizal, held up a placard with the word "Damaso" during mass attended by higher-ups in the CBCP, and shouted that the Romano Church should stop meddling in government affairs, especially in its birth control programs.
For those who don't know who Father Damaso is in Rizal's "Noli Me Tangere," he is the pompous old Spanish priest who is known to be the biological father of Maria Clara.
Celdran has this to say for his actions, "I apologize for being rude. But it was necessary for me to be rude...I am sorry for the method I used, but I'm not sorry for the message I made." "Damaso" T-shirts are now selling.
"The growing public interest on the issue is evident by reactions coming from some who have totally attacked the actions of the CBCP and its penchant for threatening excommunication. On the other hand text messages are circulating calling for parishioners to be vigilant against acts akin to Celdran's 'Damaso!' demonstration at the mass.
"Media has been barraged by text messages and phone calls, social network sites are full with comments and opinions. The wave of public interest and of the civil society and non-government organizations is on the side of providing couples the choice on the size of their families. President Aquino's position is for providing choice and helping those who cannot afford to buy the contraceptives they need.
"...In the first place, these bishops have no personal experiences to base their opinions on. But, when you threaten local and national leaders with ex-communication for being pro-choice, then that to me is meddling and the Separation of the church and State is violated."-- Ben de Leon.
For clarifications, contact FORUM, Chi Vallido, Mobile 0918-9443850; Landline 426-5484.
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