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Monday, April 25, 2011

The RH Bill

Hole of Justice
By Peter G. Jimenea

The war on RH Bill

The Iglesia Ni Kristo (INK) with millions of followers expressed support to the Reproductive Health Bill (RHB) despite the strong opposition of the Catholic Bishop Conference of the Philippines (CBCP). 

It is widely believe the Catholic Church is now losing the battle against the government in this RH Bill. The use of condom and oral contraceptives is now rampant among men and women who are aware of the risk and consequences of unwanted pregnancy.

Whether the CBCP accept it or not, RH Bill is now gaining a foothold among people who favor the limit of children in the family. The open challenge raised by two women against the Catholic Church to excommunicate them for supporting the RH Bill was already a sign of the trend.

In fact, watching the crying mothers on television begging for public support in order to save the lives of their endangered kids is what got me so angry about. Where are the CBCP now that life they claimed sacred and loved most is about to go? Where is their support?

Church leaders refused to accept the truth because more parishioners, more collection. But for all we know condoms and oral contraceptives are for prevention, not abortion as what the Church leaders' claim hinted at. For how can you kill a lifeless matter?  

Our government is having a hard time providing education, health care and other services to poor inhabitants. Then what about parents having no permanent job with five children and counting? Some of the kids will only become problem of the government.

Catholic Church leaders nitpick too much on the State's affair when their own backyards are in shambles. Why skip the scattered dirt of peers and continue interfering on government program not of their utmost concern?

The Christians communities have been paying the Church from birth to death. But what good had it delivered in return for the passivity of these flocks. Why not consider what’s good for the poor as the widening economic disparity is taking its toll on their side?

Our population growth is fast-getting closer to the pit of poverty and social disorder. The PNP report revealed the most committed crime in this country is theft, followed by robberies, physical injuries, murder, carnapping and rape. Criminals may be children of irresponsible parents who failed to raise them properly. Church leaders should also consider this.

I remember the Church role in the ouster of Pres. Ferdinand Marcos. Then Cardinal Sin called upon the people to support the rebel group led by Defense Secretary Juan Ponce Enrile and PC Chief Gen. Fidel Ramos. On what quirk of luck, the latter has become Chairman Emeritus of the Lakas-NUCP Party, the party of thieves!

When Pres. Ramos sold our government share in Petron to ARAMCO the CBCP was so silent about this betrayal of the Pilipino people. On why, only God knows. Now we are at the mercy of the big oil companies for their non-stop increases in oil prices.

The CBCP is also mum about the rampant corruption in the Arroyo administration. The P2B automation of the COMELEC, the most expensive boulevard in this country, the ZTE deal, the fertilizer scam, the “pabaon” for generals, the killing of 37 journalists, etc.

Their joining with PGMA to oust and incarcerate former Pres. Joseph Estrada was tainted with grave abuse of discretion. Plunder? The P200,000 money was from “jueteng,” not government fund. That intervention was not exercised in accordance with the tenets of justice and fair play but injustice that cries to God for vengeance!

Prudence dictates, anything in excess is bad, reason perhaps why the CBCP members who are already in the pot jump into the fire. With the recent turn of events that INK has finally decided to throw its support to RH Bill, it is widely believed the CBCP will eventually lose the battle.

A bigger population is good for the CBCP inter se – among themselves. But look at the women devotees who are now abandoning them in this RH Bill war. These women probably knew that the prize at stake in this CBCP battle is unworthy of the war they are fighting for!

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