Manila’s Aquino crosses one hurdle in pushing contraceptive bill
Housewives attend a family planning session in Tondo, Manila, August 6, 2012. — Reuters picMANILA, Aug 7 — Philippine lawmakers have agreed to suspend debate on a health bill promoting state-funded contraception and speed up its passage in Congress after President Benigno Aquino urged them to adopt the measure opposed by the powerful Roman Catholic church.
The lawmakers approved a motion to end debate on the bill by a voice vote late yesterday. Earlier in the day, Aquino told about 180 legislators that the debates that have delayed the reform over the past 17 months must end.
Supporters of the reproductive health bill shout slogans during a rally outside the House of Representatives in Quezon City, Metro Manila, August 6, 2012. — Reuters picAquino, the son of former president and democracy icon Corazon Aquino, is stepping out of the shadow of his late mother in coming out openly against the wishes of the church. Corazon Aquino was put in power in 1986 after a popular revolt strongly supported by the church.
The Philippines, with a rapidly growing population of around 95 million, is the only predominantly Catholic country in the region apart from East Timor.
“This is not a morality issue, this is a social issue that is closer to the hearts of most ordinary Filipinos,” Earl Parreno of the Institute of Political and Electoral Reforms, told Reuters.
“I don’t see any risk for the president. I think this will even push his popularity higher.”
The bill, as it stands, requires governments down to the village level to provide free or low-cost reproductive health services. The law will not promote abortion, which is illegal.
In a state of the nation address last month, Aquino stressed his government could not end decades of shortages in accommodation and books in schools without responsible parenthood.
That statement was Aquino’s strongest message yet on controlling population growth estimated at around 2 per cent annually, part of his poll campaign programme in 2010.
Aquino’s allies in the lower house of Congress have assured him they would pass the bill within the month. Analysts say Aquino also has enough allies in the upper house to push the bill through, after which it can be signed into law.
Opponents of the bill, led by the bishops, warned they would campaign against the re-election in 2013 of lawmakers who supported it. — Reuters
