Catholic radio survey: Most congressmen against RH bill
The Catholic Church will continue its campaign against the Reproductive Health Bill as a survey of a Church-owned radio station showed majority of congressmen now oppose the proposed legislation.
Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) President and Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo said a phone survey of the church-owned Radio Veritas on congressmen showed most of them are against the "Reproductive Health and Population Development Act."
The radio station called 177 congressmen and interviewed them about their position on the controversial bill that is pending and being deliberated in Congress.
The poll showed that of the 177 congressmen interviewed, 111 are against the bill, 43 in favor and 23 undecided. The result of the poll is posted at the station's website (www.veritas846.ph/index.html).
Those listed against the bill include President's Macapagal Arroyo's son Diosdado and brother-in-law Negros Occidental Rep. Ignacio "Iggy" Arroyo. The President's other congressman son, Juan Miguel or Mikey, is not on the list of those surveyed.
The others who said in the survey that they are against the bill include: Representatives Florencio "Bem" Noel, Glenn Chong, Mary Ann Susano, Rizalina Seachon-Lanete, Proceso Alcala, Emil Ong, Rufus Rodriguez,, Milagros Magsaysay, Antonino Rodolfo, Edgardo Chatto, Joseph Abaya, Bienvenido Abante, Amelita Villarosa, Erico Fabian, Exequiel Javier, Carmelo Lazatin, Monico Puentevella, Eric Singson, Zenaida Angping, Benjamin Asilo, Amado Bagatsing, Roilo Golez, Therese David-Bonoan,
Jaime Lopez, Francisco Matugas, Mark Llandro Mendoza, Rene Velarde, Eduardo Zialcita, Carmencita Reyes, Eileen Ermita-Buhain, Eleandro Madrona, Vincent Garcia, Belma Cabilao, Edgar Valdez, Reynila Nicolas, Monico Puentevella, Vincent Crisologo,Hermilando Mandanas, Teodolo Coquilla, Irwin Tieng, Antonio Cuenco, Reynaldo Uy, Sharee Ann Tan, Oscar Malapitan, Florencio Miraflores, Pablo John Garcia, Al Francis Bichara, Raul del Mar, Liwayway Chato, Alfonso Umali, Edgardo San Luis, Erwin Tieng, Edwin Uy, Herminia Ramiro, Guillermo Romarate, Rodolfo Valencia, Thelma Almario, Carissa Coscolluela, Nanette Daza, Pedro Romualdo, Mariano Piamonte,
Antonio Alvarez, Maria Isabel Climaco, Joseph Violago, Mark Enverga, Maria Victoria Alvaro Sy, Junie Cua, Ramon Durano, Fred Castro, Nur Jaafar, Victoria Reyes, Eufrocino Codilla, Sr., Angelito Gatlabayan, Trinidad Apostol, Chinchona Cruz-Gonzales, Orlando Fua, Romulo Roman, Teodoro Marcelino, Abraham Mitra , Manuel Kurat, Roberto Puno, Isidro Ungab, Candido Pancrudo, Antonio Lagdameo
Rolando Uy, Condrado Estrella, Roberto Cajes, Mikey Arroyo, Noel Florencio, Pablo Garcia, Eduardo Gullas, Pedro Pancho, Roger Mercado-Gaviola, Relson Adam Jala, Mary Mitzi Cajayon, Carmen Cari, Narciso Bravo, Jose Maria Zubiri, Andres Salvacion, Herminia Roman, Arturo Robes, Arago Maria Evita, Reno Lim, Jose de Venecia, Laarni Cayetano, Paul Daza, Czarina Umali, Rodolfo Antonino and Benhur Salimbangon.
Radio Veritas listed those supporting the bill as: Representatives Ronaldo Zamora, Ruffy Biazon, Juan Edgardo Angara, Anna York Bondoc, Edgardo Salvador, Samuel Dangwa, Teodoro Casiño, Danilo Suarez, Manuel Mamba, Amante Edilmiro, Abdullah Dimaporo, Dan Fernandez, Mujic Hataman, Roque Ablan,
Liza Maza, Riza Hontiveros-Baraquel, Philip Pichay, Teodoro Locsin Jr., Mauricio Domogan, Satur Ocampo, Abraham Mitra, Jose Lacson, Edcel Lagman, Janette Garin, Marc Douglas Cagas, Darlene Custodio, Florencio Garay, Nicanor Briones, Lorna Silverio, Simeon Datumanong, Justine Chepeco, Crispin Remulla, Nerrisa Corazon Ruiz, Victor Ortega, Emilou Talino-Mendoza, Ronaldo Singson
Neptali Gonzales Jr., Eduardo Joson, Manuel Agyao, Jose Carlos Lacson, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Antonio Kho and Didagen Dilangalen.
Those who said they were still undecided include: Representatives Jocelyn Limkaichong, Lorenzo Tanada, Raul Daza, Manuel Abiao, Teofisto Guingona III, Samuel Dangwa, Rodolfo Plaza, Mark Cojuangco, Arthur Defensor, Ernesto Pablo, Michael John Duavit, Faustino Dy, Alvin Sandoval, Condrado Estrella, Jose Antonio Roxas, Prude Henry Teves, Victor Ortega, Monica Prieto-Ortega, Erwin Chiongbian, Jose Solis, Mary Cajayon, Jose Yap and Magtanggol Gunigundo.
Fr. Anton Pascual, the radio station's president and chief operating officer, said in a telephone interview that they conducted the on-air survey in the last three weeks. The station plans to interview all of the 235 congressmen.
Lagdameo said they are expecting that majority of the congressmen will vote against the bill.
"The campaign against the bill will continue," said Lagdameo.
The Church considers the bill as "anti-life" and against religious teachings.
But proponents of the bill said it is long overdue and it is urgent to curb the country's population growth rate which has strained the country's resources. They said the bill will also help provide adequate and accessible health care for couples especially women and prevent or minimized maternal deaths.
Iloilo Rep. Janette Garin, one of the bill's sponsors, said if those against the bill claim they have the numbers, then they should allow the House to finish deliberation and subject the bill to a vote.
"The deliberation and votation is long delayed because of the delaying floor tactics of those against it. They are preventing us from debating on the floor. We want the people to hear the two sides so they can decide," Garin said in a telephone interview.
She said they are positive that the bill will be passed in Congress.
"But if it will not be passed, it will be a death blow to millions of Filipinos who are poor. Every day the bill is delayed, a mother dies while giving birth. Each minute, four babies are born adding to our already runaway population," said Garin.