MANILA, Philippines - A group of women advocates on Thursday urged President Benigno Aquino III not to be cowed by criticisms and to keep his promise to prioritize the passage of a reproductive health law.

In a statement, national chairperson Elizabeth Angsioco of the Democratic Socialist Women of the Philippines (DSWP) said the RH bill faces the danger of not being included in the final list of priorities of this administration. 

“While the bill is in the list, according to our information, it is number 26 and the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) will only get 25 of the 30 proposals in the list. When will our government seriously consider this issue as urgent? Poor women continue to suffer and die because of lack of access to RH information and services," she said.

Cabinet members have identified more than 25 proposed legislative measures that will undergo the President's evaluation to determine which will be put in the Palace's legislative agenda for the LEDAC.

In an interview, Presidential Communications Secretary Ricky Carandang said the RH bill should conform with the President's position on responsible parenthood, information campaign, opposition to abortifacients, and that it should not favor only one method of family planning.

Angsioco said the RH bill has been pending in Congress for 16 years and has undergone long deliberations and numerous stakeholder discussions. She said several national and local surveys have been conducted which consistently conclude that a very high percentage of the Philippine population wants the RH bill immediately passed.

"Lamentably, this administration seems to be not keen on holding on to P-Noy’s campaign promise on RH.  Skirting the bill in his priority legislative agenda is tantamount to not supporting the issue and not caring for the welfare of poor Filipino women," she said.

She said if Aquino is indeed supportive of the issue, he must show political will by including prioritizing reproductive health in his policy agenda.

"We hope he will keep his promise to us, remain steadfast, and not be cowed by the threats of some leaders of the Catholic church just like his predecessor.  In fact, it is the women that his administration should dialogue with on RH.  We were promised during the campaign that RH services, primarily family planning will be pushed by his presidency. We are the ones that are affected, not the men in robes,” she said.