I am for the RH Bill

Hole of Justice
by Peter G. Jimenea


Why I am for the RH Bill 


A lot of Christian organizations openly expressed support to the Reproductive Health Bill (RHB) and the issue that has long consumed the country is now an accepted fact to modern women of society. Unfortunately, this is opposed by the Catholic Bishop Conference of the Philippines or the CBCP. 


As to what motivates them, they have yet to say. But if it is the dreamed income from birth to death of devotees in all Christian communities, then let it be. But sad to say, the CBCP failed to notice that the Iglesia ni Kristo, one of the Christian Churches with big followers now supports the Bill.


We were doctrined by Christendom with baptismal, confirmation, first communion and so forth. Then wedding of the grown-ups wanting to have a family. We were also told that dead members of our family can never go to heaven without the blessing of the Church but - for a fee.


See? There are no Muslims or Buddhists in this business, only two members of a Catholic family, the rich and the poor. The rich who rule the law and the majority poor with a little learning of the law that when offended, may prefer to accept money than apology! 


The condom and oral contraceptives were already in used prior to the introduction of the RH Bill in Congress. On why the CBCP stood up only now to oppose their uses, we have yet to know.  But they should know that it is only for them in their group that what they did was good!


They repeatedly sounded a call that life is sacred and no to RH Bill. But what about those mothers crying on TV screen begging for help from people with golden hearts to save their dying kids due to lack of money to buy medicines? Where are the CBCP members in this regard?


True, more parishioners, more collection. But what about the fast growing population and the lack of employment for the less-educated majority? The high cost of education, hospitalization plus lack of food on the table can drive a father of five in the brink of insanity!


Oral contraceptives and condoms are use not to abort life from a mother's womb but to stop the development of a man and a woman sperm into fetus.  The stuffs are used to avoid unwanted pregnancy and to limit the number of children in a family, that's all.


It is not abortion as what the CBCP's earlier claim hinted at. There’s no murder here for how can you kill a lifeless matter? The CBCP nitpicks too much on the State's affair when their backyards are in shambles. Why interfere in government programs for the good of its citizens?


The country’s population growth is fast-getting closer to the pit of poverty. It widens the gap of economic disparity between the rich and the poor. The CBCP members are already in the pot but jump into the fire. They don't have the faintest idea that making these people hungry someday they will run amuck. 


What is wrong with RH Bill that it must be stopped? The glitches of the program can be fixed and women who are the most concerned group of this issue should be given their freedom of choice. Why not allow them to decide on matters of their primary concern?


The CBCP and Church hollies resort to argumentum ad populum to sway popular support rather than facts and reason. No wonder why many of religious sects are now abandoning the Catholic Church and counting. 


A big population is good for the CBCP inter se but it does not sit well for women who are risking their lives during pregnancy. The international community has reported that one in every three women in Asia dies during pregnancy or in-time of delivery.


Thus, I am supporting the RH Bill for the above reasons. I know the feelings of most women who support the RH Bill. Like them, I also understand that the prize at stake in this war is worthy of the battle they are fighting for!