November 7, 2012

Pro Life Philippines Foundation, Inc.

Position Paper on the New RH Bill Version
Filed at the House of Representatives
Greetings of Peace!
We have received a copy of the new RH bill version which was filed at the
House of Representative last October 23, 2012. For the education and information of
our friends and all those who support us, we are releasing this statement in order to
shed light on this new proposed RH Bill and its implications.
1. There simple is no need for an RH Law. As Senator Tito Sotto has
mentioned in his Turno en Contra speech, there are 23 existing laws that
mimic the RH bill, and close to 8 billion pesos given to the DOH by the
government to fund RH-like programs and projects. Then there is the Magna
Carta of Women. The RH bill is simply redundant and unnecessary.
2. The RH bill is a population control measure that masquerades as a bill that
will empower women. True women empowerment happens when there are
enough jobs for women to support their families as well as education for their
children. The funds to be used in purchasing contraceptives can be utilized in
projects that directly alleviate poverty and empower women, like building
classrooms and schools, roads, bridges, ports, and other infrastructure.
3. The provisions that will allow adolescents to have access to contraceptives
are still present. Not that taking them off will convince us to accept this bill,
but the presence of these provisions only reinforce our convictions that the
RH bill is for population control. Aside from this fact, adolescents should not
be given contraceptives as this would only reinforce teen-age sexual
activities and lead to teen-age pregnancies.
4. The provision for sex education of adolescents is still present. The
important points in sex education are already included in our present
curriculum via our biology classes; what the youth need is education and
formation geared towards the discovery and enrichment of their talents and
skills, and personality development and self-mastery, which are all necessary
in preparing them to be efficient members of the workforce. A student who is
prepared both physically and emotionally for work will be an asset in any
workplace, and if he is poor, he has more chances to bring himself and his
family out of poverty.
5. The bill propagates the misconception of poor women needing
contraception because they want to limit the number of children born to

them, but are too poor to afford contraceptives. Harvards Kennedy School of
Government professor Lant Pritchett says parents who have large families
want large families, meaning parents want the children that they beget. It is
also a misconception that poor women cannot afford contraceptives, hence
the need for the RH Bill. According to the 2008 National Demographic Health
Survey, only less than 1% of women cannot afford contraception.
6. The RH Bill has been a highly divisive issue, with both sides hardly yielding
any ground. However, there are certain bills that are not as divisive as the RH
bill but will also help this country move forward by curbing graft and
corruption. We are referring to the Freedom of Information bill, and the AntiDynasty bill. Both the congress and senate would have taken the country a
step forward in the right direction had they passed these two bills. Instead
they chose to dwell on the RH bill, and because of this our politicians look like
they are only after their own selfish interests.
The framers of the RH Bill presented this revised version of the RH bill hoping that
they could pass it with the amendments in place. They are sadly mistaken. We still
oppose the RH bill, and there shall be no compromise. We value life and the true
dignity of women. No to the RH Bill!

Sincerely,

Mr. Eric Manalang

President, Pro Life Philippines