RH bill the worst Christmas gift, says archbishop [1]

By Lalaine Bolongon and Lore Mae Andong, ABS-CBN News Central Mindanao | 12/26/2012 6:14 PM

Printer-friendly version [2] | Send to friend [3] | Share your views [4]

• [5]
• [6]
• [7]
• [8]
• [9]
• [10]
• [11]

COTABATO CITY, Philippines – Cotabato City Archbishop Orlando Quevedo is saddened by the passage of the Reproductive Health (RH) bill in the 3rd and final reading.

The archbishop considers the passage of the bill as the “worst gift” to the people from our political leaders.

"Christmas is a celebration of human life that comes from God, the one who conceived was a teenager and she brought to life into the world by the spirit of Christmas. Therefore, it is a celebration of human life that comes from God, it comes with the cooperation of a teenager and God, kaya it's the worst Christmas gift," Archbishop Quevedo stressed.

Quevedo, however, said that despite Congress' approval of the bill, the Catholic Church will continue to fight against RH bill, and that they are ready to seek the Supreme Court’s help.

“It will be a legal action but also it will be a prayerful action. Prayers are needed for this," he said.

Meanwhile, Moro Islamic Liberation Front 1st vice chairman Ghadzali Jaafar also expressed his strong opposition on the RH bill.

Jaafar said the lawmakers’ move to push through with family planning methods is good, but the usage of contraceptive is prohibited in Islam.

"Kahit sino mang tao, ipinagbabawal talaga ang pumatay ng inosente kasi ‘yang fetus kapag nasa sinapupunan na ng ina, tao na ‘yan, may buhay na ‘yan. Family planning hindi bawal sa Islam. But generally ang taong ipinanganak sa mundo may budget na ‘yan kay Allah," Jaafar said.

According to reports, President Aquino is set to sign the RH bill before the end of 2012.