Nograles to clergy: Lobby not attack legislators
House Speaker Prospero Nograles asked the Catholic church heirarchy to lobby for what they want relative to the proposed Reproductive Health Act instead of threatening the members of legislature against voting for the said bill.
Nograles, in a press conference here in Iloilo City yesterday, said it is their job in congress to pass the needed legislations which they deem as beneficial to the general public.
"We would like to correct the perception that we are going head-on with the church. There's no such thing like that. Passing a legislation is a function of Congress. All that the church need is to lobby. They should not attack us, it is our job. If they lobby we will listen to them," said Nograles.
Nograles cited that the passage of the Reproductive Health Act has long been delayed and it is taking a toll on the country's development.
Nograles stressed there is a need to control the country's population because it is apparent that our government cannot sustain our growing population.
The house speaker hopes that they can pass the bill before the end of the 14th Congress.
"We will debate extensively on this. We will urge our colleagues in congress to cast their votes to put an end to this issue which has long been waiting for deliberation in Congress," Nograles said.
"With the plight of our country at present, we cannot afford to delay the passage of the bill," Nograles added.
"We will bite the bullet," said Nograles referring to the strong objection of the Catholic clergy on the controversial bill.
On the threat of some bishops that they will campaign against those politicians who will support the passage of the Reproductive Health Act, Nograles has this to say: I want to remind them to respect the constitutional provision on the separation of the church and the State."
Earlier, Fr. Melvin Castro, executive secretary of the Episcopal Commission on Family and Life (ECFL) of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines warned that they will campaign against legislators who will support the Reproductive Health bills.
"As the 2010 elections are getting nearer, politicians should not afford to disregard the Catholic Church's stand on the pro-life issues. Otherwise, the Catholic Church knows how to mobilize its members not to vote for anti-life politicians," Castro was quoted as saying.
Ozamiz bishop Jesus Dosado also issued a pastoral letter saying that politicians who push for abortion should not be allowed to receive Holy Communion.
Said pastoral letter was upheld by Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) president and Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo.
Meanwhile, First District Representative Janette Loreto-Garin, principal author of one of the contested family bills, decried the turn of events.
"I am really saddened on the extreme reactions coming from the Catholic Church. And I appeal that we focus on the issue – it is not true that abortion is pushed nor even implied by the Reproductive Health Act. Again, this is all about safe motherhood, this is about quality life, this is about responsible parenthood, this is about choice for every woman and every Filipino family," Garin said in a TNT interview.