Issue on Philippine Reproductive Health Bill (RHB)

By Joe Espiritu, Bohol Sunday Post

The past week news has been disturbing. In the print media and television, items said that the Church is taking the Reproductive Health Bill or RHB issue to the school level. Then back page of a national broad sheet, a picture of three bishops holding hand sized placards urging the scrapping of the imposition of the Value Added Tax. On television, Mike Velarde, leader of a large religious group threatened to run for president, if the Reproductive Health Bill is passed. This is too much.

 In a democracy like ours, everybody has the right to express his opinion. However, this right is not absolute. There is always a limitation. There was a saying once, which said, "the right to swing one's arm ends where the nose to his neighbor begins." There are others, who have a different opinion. Unfortunately, they do not have the same clout or exposure as those who profess to be the guardian of the welfare of the people.

 In the media, we have live up to a principle, which says, the bigger is the influence welded, the bigger the responsibility it carries. We, therefore, exercise caution and restrai9nt in our opinions knowing that there are those, who may be influenced by our thinking. Although we can issue a retraction in the later issues of the paper, reputations had been damaged or wrong information had been disseminated. This is not always the same in other organizations, which claims infallibility.

 Because of cannon law, the Church must oppose the RHB. It is not only their right but also their duty. But there are also Catholics, who do not follow their thinking. Those who call themselves "modern" Catholics do not always follow all, what their prelates say. As long as they do not run against the doctrine, as long as they adhere to the Nicean Creed, they claim that their conscience is clear. They may be denied communion or any other sanctions imposed by they Church. It is up to the Church authorities.

 Because the Church welds tremendous influence over the predominantly Catholic country like the Philippines, it must also be aware of its awesome responsibilities. The Church is perfectly aware that the soul cannot be kept pure if the body is weak and prone to temptation. It is hard to praise God, when there is no food in his stomach, no roof over his head, clothes on his body and no hope in his future. It is hard to praise God either if he sees his loved ones cold, starving or in danger.

 All over the world, it is the government, which is responsible for the basic needs of its citizens. In disasters man made or natural, it is the government, which must provide food, shelter, clothing and any and all means so the citizens could be able to start life anew. Above all, the government must also provide its citizens a chance for a better life in the future. All these need money. And money comes from taxes. Additional services need additional money, which is to come from Value Added Taxes.

 If the RHB stops the murder of fetuses and neonates, safeguard the health of the mothers, and keep the Philippine population at a manageable level, the bill has achieved its end. If the Value Added Taxes provide immediate relief in disasters, help the afflicted stand on their own feet and provide a better hope for the future by providing those without livelihood a chance for gainful employment, then his tax must be kept. The VAT is extracted from those who are fortunate enough to pay not from those who do not have the capacity to pay.

 Governance must be left to the government. If the Church wants to help, they are very much welcome. If the Church chose to criticize, let them, we would help them do it. However, if they exert influence for religious reasons, perhaps we would think many times before helping. We would not like to live in a country run by religious authorities like the mullahs of Afghanistan or ayatollahs of Iran.