Vote soon as Aquino gets behind birth control bill
Source: Agencies |
August 7, 2012, Tuesday
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PHILIPPINE President Benigno Aquino yesterday threw his weight behind a health bill promoting state-funded contraception, stepping out of his mother's shadow as he pushes reforms widely opposed by the Roman Catholic Church.
Aquino's late mother Corazon was put in power in 1986 in 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.
Aquino addressed a multi-party group of at least 180 lawmakers at the presidential palace, saying debates that have delayed the reform over the last 17 months needed to end.
Lawmakers agreed and said they would move on to discussing content.
"This is not a morality issue, this is a social issue that is closer to the hearts of most ordinary Filipinos," said Earl Parreno of the Institute of Political and Electoral Reforms. "I don't see any risk for the president."
Discussions will center on four issues - state funding for contraceptives, mandatory sex education in schools, abortion, and the distribution of contraceptives that could induce abortions.
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.
Aquino's allies in the lower house of Congress assured him of the passage of the bill within the month. Analysts say Aquino also has enough allies in the upper house to push the bill through. Opponents of the bill, led by the bishops, warned they would campaign against the re-election in 2013 of lawmakers who supported it.
Aquino's late mother Corazon was put in power in 1986 in 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.
Aquino addressed a multi-party group of at least 180 lawmakers at the presidential palace, saying debates that have delayed the reform over the last 17 months needed to end.
Lawmakers agreed and said they would move on to discussing content.
"This is not a morality issue, this is a social issue that is closer to the hearts of most ordinary Filipinos," said Earl Parreno of the Institute of Political and Electoral Reforms. "I don't see any risk for the president."
Discussions will center on four issues - state funding for contraceptives, mandatory sex education in schools, abortion, and the distribution of contraceptives that could induce abortions.
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.
Aquino's allies in the lower house of Congress assured him of the passage of the bill within the month. Analysts say Aquino also has enough allies in the upper house to push the bill through. Opponents of the bill, led by the bishops, warned they would campaign against the re-election in 2013 of lawmakers who supported it.
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