Center for Reproductive Rights Meddles in the Philippines’ Cultural and Religious Beliefs. “No thanks,” reply Filipino Leaders.
The struggle to defend human life continues throughout the world, as does the push for pro-choice laws. Recent news out of the Philippines highlights how the gift of life is viewed by the political and religious leaders in that country, but at the same time should remind those on the “life” side of the battle to be ever vigilant for the encroachment of pro-choice ideology from those who will stop at nothing to impose their mandate of “reproductive rights” against the will of a people.
On August 2, 2010, top Filipino lawmakers and religious leaders affirmed their support for human life by rejecting an appeal from various pro-choice organizations which had urged Congress to pass a law allowing “safe and legal abortion”:
Reproductive health and women’s rights advocates urged Congress Monday to pass a law allowing “safe and legal abortion,” citing a new report that described a “human rights crisis” … arising from unsafe abortions in the Philippines…
The cited report, Forsaken Lives: The Harmful Impact of the Philippine Criminal Abortion Ban, was created by New York-based Center for Reproductive Rights (CRR). The request for the Philippine Judiciary to legalize abortion turns out to be a hard sell in a country that’s 90% Christian and whose churchgoing population is so large that some parishes hold their services in megamalls. The responses from Filipino leaders are refreshing for their honesty and bluntness. Below is a selection of the reception given to the pro-choice meddlers:
…the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines or CBCP rejected the proposal. Responding to the figures describing the incidence of unsafe abortion cited by the CRR study, CBCP legal counsel Josephine Imbong said…“The cases that they are citing about poor women [seeking unsafe abortion] are exceptional. It is not the general rule. We have studies that the majority of women and mothers in this country love to have children. We cannot allow a minority to rule and change the law,” she said…
…Imbong asserted that abortion should not be allowed under any circumstances, including rape or incest. “Hindi naman kasalanan ng baby yun eh. Bakit siya papatayin?” (The rape is not the baby’s fault. Why should the baby be killed?)…
…“I don’t think the population can justify any legislation that would legalize abortion in this country,” said Rodante Marcoleta, a Christian pastor and member of the House of Representatives’ Alagad party…
Neither the Philippines Congress nor the Catholic Bishops’ Conference can necessarily be considered parties of “no.” Many of their members support a bill being sponsored by Congressman Roilo Golez, HB No. 13: Protection of the Unborn Child Act 2010, a proposed law that empowers humanity and glorifies the dignity of human life. The law states, in part:
The State recognizes the sanctity of family life and shall protect and strengthen the family as a basic autonomous social institution; (Art. 11, Sec. 12, and Constitution); The State shall equally protect the life of the mother and the life of the unborn child from conception; The State recognizes the Filipino family including the unborn child as the foundation of the nation and is pledged to strengthen its solidarity and actively promote its total development; The Filipino family’s most vulnerable members are their children, including those who are unborn; The State recognizes the right to life as the most fundamental right of all without and from which all other rights become meaningless…
The struggle for the hearts and minds of people continues on both sides of the abortion issue. However, for those looking to find a shining example of a country that values the gift of life and is more than holding its ground against pro-choice ideology, the Philippines provides welcome news.
