MY IRREVOCABLE STAND DESPITE MY LIMITED KNOWLEDGE ON MORAL LAW

HOUSE BILL NO. 5043

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A NATIONAL POLICY ON REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH, RESPONSIBLE PARENTHOOD AND POPULATION DEVELOPMENT, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Reproductive Health and Population Development Act of 2008“.

MPT: Reproduction is one of man’s natural purpose. Population Development - refers to a program that aims to: (1) help couples and parents achieve their desired family size; (you can help still, the counterpart to artificial family planning, the key word is practice the habit of self-control, self-discipline, if we can do it in other areas why not in this area, the more you give alternatives the more confusing it would become, its just answering one question with more than 20 choices to choose from, it confuse the examinee and the probability to chose the right answer is 1 over 1000)

(2) improve reproductive health of individuals by addressing reproductive health problems; (The only problem is that we introduce modern method and teach people to become sexually irresponsible. Easy accessibility to contraception provides many choices for people and that is good versus various evil, . Unwed pregnancy, unwanted, teenage pregnancy, STDs, AIDS are problems we wanted to be minimized, if we really want these prevented we allow those who commit and or infected to reflect and suffer the consequences of their actions because human beings are not dogs, they are the highest form of living things and the only rational, they have the capacity to think and the will to do what is right, they have the capacity to LEARN, to learn what is morally right. Offering various alternatives is tantamount to reducing man’s capacity to learn. )

(3) contribute to decreased maternal and infant mortality rates and early child mortality; (The real mortality is preventing life, the maternal and infant mortality is high because of improper nutrition, we should focus on the real cause of the problem rather than alluring humans to destroy their very essence)

(4) reduce incidence of teenage pregnancy; (teenage pregnancy will never be reduced by contraception. Contraception instead encourages parents and educators to become complacent in its duty to guide and teach adolescence the value of self-respect & self-control, and how to manage emotion, if this continues more family’s will be broken)

and (5) enable government to achieve a balanced population distribution.

(Philippines is not an overpopulated country. It’s not even a poor country. Only that it discriminates. Here’s a concrete example if this country is pro-poor and pro-life and the poorest among the poor are the street people, they are the ones struggling to survive and live, what Bill had been enacted to help them? To educate them? To shelter them? I found none, that’s why these people grow each year and the saddest thing is they become an outcast, they are not part of the Filipino Family., If we are really for balanced distribution of population we should not be blind and deaf then of the real situation)

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. – The State upholds and promotes responsible parenthood, informed choice, birth spacing and respect for life in conformity with internationally recognized human rights standards.

(Responsible parenthood parallels to responsible self)

The State shall uphold the right of the people, particularly women and their organizations, to effective and reasonable participation in the formulation and implementation of the declared policy.

This policy is anchored on the rationale that sustainable human development is better assured with a manageable population of healthy, educated and productive citizens.

(Well said! This is a very good vision. But the solutions presented are a product of narrow thinking; these are realistic but misleading. The general principle of man “SENDERISIS” is to do what is right and to avoid evil, this is what we were taught the details of what is good and what is evil are within us to perceived and learned. We know that artificial family planning e.g. use of contraception is wrong and yet we pacify it because it is self-serving, it is pleasurable to oneself )

The State likewise guarantees universal access to medically-safe, legal, affordable and quality reproductive health care services, methods, devices, supplies and relevant information thereon even as it prioritizes the needs of women and children,among other underprivileged sectors.

(If the old generation had mostly bigger families and they were able to survive. will the new generation not survive? Why can’t government spend affordable health services such as free hospitalization, free health care for the people. Why planned to spend a bigger portion on Artificial Family Planning , Reproductive Health, Population Development when they can do more., and in some ways if the government leads at educating people the value of abstinence which is also a form of self-discipline, will people not learn?, if everybody preach about it will human beings not learn? And if they (humans) so continue to deviate from what is morally right, why would we hinder them to learn the consequences of their actions? How will they learn on their own if we continue to spoon-feed them?

SEC. 3. Guiding Principles. – This Act declares the following as basic guiding principles:

a. In the promotion of reproductive health, there should be no bias for either modern or natural methods of family planning;

(The natural method of family planning is never bias but the only way to promote healthy mental, spiritual, physical \and social life) it’s the only way to promote self-discipline, self-control, self-respect and self-responsibility.

b. Reproductive health goes beyond a demographic target because it is principally about health and rights

c. Gender equality and women empowerment are central elements of reproductive health and population development;

d. Since manpower is the principal asset of every country, effective reproductive health care services must be given primacy to ensure the birth and care of healthy children and to promote responsible parenting;

e. The limited resources of the country cannot be suffered to, be spread so thinly to service a burgeoning multitude that makes the allocations grossly inadequate and effectively meaningless;

f. Freedom of informed choice, which is central to the exercise of any right, must be fully guaranteed by the State like the right itself;

g. While the number and spacing of children are left to the sound judgment of parents and couples based on their personal conviction and religious beliefs, such concerned parents and couples, including unmarried individuals, should be afforded free and full access to relevant, adequate and correct information on reproductive health and human sexuality and should be guided by qualified State workers and professional private practitioners;

h. Reproductive health, including the promotion of breastfeeding, must be the joint concern of the National Government and Local Government Units(LGUs);

i. Protection and promotion of gender equality, women empowerment and human rights, including reproductive health rights, are imperative;

j. Development is a multi-faceted process that calls for the coordination and integration of policies, plans, programs and projects that seek to uplift the quality of life of the people, more particularly the poor, the needy and the marginalized;

k. Active participation by and thorough consultation with concerned non-government organizations (NGOs), people’s organizations (POs) and communities are imperative to ensure that basic policies, plans, programs and projects address the priority needs of stakeholders;

l. Respect for, protection and fulfillment of reproductive health rights seek to promote not only the rights and welfare of adult individuals and couples but those of adolescents’ and children’s as well; and

m. While nothing in this Act changes the law on abortion, as abortion remains a crime and is punishable, the government shall ensure that women seeking care for post-abortion complications shall be treated and counseled in a humane, non-judgmental and compassionate manner.

have a proven track record of involvement in the promotion of reproductive health. These representatives shall be nominated in a process determined by the above-mentioned sectors, and to be appointed by the President for a term of three (3)years.

SEC. 6. Midwives for Skilled Attendance. -Every city and municipality shall endeavor to employ adequate number of midwives or other skilled attendants to achieve a minimum ratio of one (1)for every one hundred fifty (150) deliveries per year, to be based on the average annual number of actual deliveries or live births for the past two years.

(This should be the case)

SEC. 7. Emergency Obstetric Care. – Each province. and city shall endeavor to ensure the establishment and operation of hospitals with adequate and qualified personnel that provide emergency obstetric care. For every 500,000 population, there shall be at least one (1) hospital for comprehensive emergency obstetric care and four (4) hospitals for basic emergency obstetric care.

(Approved)

SEC. 8. Maternal Death Review. – All LGUs, national and local government hospitals, and other public health units shall conduct maternal death review in accordance with the guidelines to be issued by the DOH in consultation with the POPCOM.

(Approved)

SEC. 9. Hospital-Based Family Planning. -Tubal ligation, vasectomy, intrauterine device insertion and other family planning methods requiring hospital services shall be available in all national and local government hospitals, except: in specialty hospitals which may render such services on an optional basis. For indigent patients, such services shall be fully covered by PhilHealth insurance and/or government financial assistance

(These are inhuman, a lot of health professionals know that there are side effects to these forms of family planning and still they insist to legalize such, tempting people to touch a hot stove even if they know their hands will get burned)

.

SEC. 10. Contraceptives as Essential Medicines. – Hormonal contraceptives, intrauterine devices, injectables and other allied reproductive health products and supplies shall be considered under the category of essential medicines and supplies which shall form part of the National Drug Formulary and the same shall be included in the regular purchase of essential medicines and supplies of all national and lord hospitals and other government health units.

SEC. 11. Mobile Health Care Service. -Each Congressional District shall be provided with a van to be known as the Mobile Health Care Service (MHOS) to deliver health care goods and services to its constituents, more particularly to the poor and needy, as well as disseminate knowledge and information on reproductive health: Provided, That reproductive health education shall be conducted by competent and adequately trained persons preferably reproductive health care providers: Provided, further, That the full range of family planning methods, both natural and modern, shall be promoted.

(How can natural planning be promoted this way if those available goods and services of modern family planning method are easy to access, this is misleading, nothing about natural family planning can be promoted)

The acquisition, operation and maintenance of the MRCS shall be funded from the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) of each Congressional District.

The MHCS shall be adequately equipped with a wide range of reproductive health care materials and information dissemination devices and equipment, the latter including but not limited to, a television set for audio-visual presentation.

SEC. 12. Mandatory Age-Appropriate Reproductive Health Education. – Recognizing the importance of reproductive health rights in empowering the youth and developing them into responsible adults, ( This is not true, you cannot empower youth to become responsible through advertising Modern Family Planning, this instead charms them to indulge to sexual activities )

Reproductive Health Education in an age-appropriate manner shall be taught by adequately trained teachers starting from Grade 5 up to Fourth Year High School. In order to assure the prior training of teachers on reproductive health, the implementation of Reproductive Health Education shall commence at the start of the school year one year following the effectivity of this Act. The POPCOM, in coordination with the Department of Education, shall formulate the Reproductive Health Education curriculum, which shall be common to both public and private schools and shall include related population and development concepts in addition to the following subjects and standards:

As an overall assessment this Bill is a product of irresponsible use of will and failure to use the intellect to scrutinize that which is morally good and that which is bad. I am completely against the Bill and my stand is irrevocable. Ironically most people who are pro RHBill 5043 are Christians. Non Christians e.g. Muslims preserve life. Are we going to see Philippines tomorrow dominated by Muslims instead of Christians?.

I adhere to the teachings of the Catholic Church. I respect life, I may not be an expert to moral teachings but aside from trusting the Christian leaders who scholarly studied moral law I stand by my faith that nothing in God’s creation and gift that I will destroy not even a thought of it and if for any reason I will fail to obey what I stand today I ask my good Lord that if it happens He’ll quickly bring me back to the right path otherwise I deserve to perish.

CERGE REMONDE

Presidential Secretary Cerge Remonde died yesterday of heart attack at 11:51 a.m. . Remonde a former media man famoused in Cebu City was a great lost to Cebu media community. It was his effort to bring unity among the media people despite radio program and news bulletin competitions. People considered him a man of intergrity. A truth-seeker, a person who always based his words through strong evidences. His determination brought him success. He became the Kapisanan ng mga Broadcaster sa Pilipinas Cebu Chapter President. At the height of his career he was invited to served as one of President Gloria Macapadal Arroyo's presidential secretaries. He do have the skills and capacity to deliver his job responsibilities. However, his acceptance to the offer somehow tested his core values. Those traits that he had been nourishing and taking cared of all his life were shaken. Perhaps his health condition was triggered by the type of job he pursued. Can you imagine working in an environment that deviates your principles and values?. What do you think about a man who is an advocate for lung cancer prevention but serve as president in a Tobacco Company? Remonde had been experiencing cognitive dissonance because his actions contradicted his values. He in fact received a lot of negative comments from his former colleagues because his words do not tell his inner self. Almost everyday he spoke about light when what he really saw was dark. Isn't this sickening?

STO. NIÑO DE CEBU PROCESSION

CELEBRATING LOVE THROUGH THE RAIN

It was a nice experience to attend the nine-day novena mass at the Basilica and to join the procession. Despite heavy rain showers all over the city, faithful Catholic devotees crowded the prayer march. It seemed like the heavier the rain the stronger were the people's offering of praises, love and prayers. Singing and dancing were a joy to them. This year's Sinulog Festival theme is "Faithfulness of Sto. Niño, Faithfulness of devotees. One cannot question the Holy Child Jesus' fidelity to his people. Cebu has been a blessed placed, a chosen place where Christianity conversion started spreading and where Jesus' love magnetized the native people. Isn't this a miracle worthy to be remembered, treasured and praised?. Cebu then is the heart of Catholicism in the Philippines.

The weather this week seemed unfavorable, it rained very hard on the nth day novena but still the church was overflowing with people despite they feeling cold and wet. This is real test of faith. Cebuanos and devotees from other places love Jesus so much that celebrating His day is a joy to them. Rain or shine it does not matter, it does not make a difference instead their love for Him grow deeper. This year we celebrate the love of the Holy Child Jesus through the rain. Its a miracle to see thousands of people surrendering their lives to God. Today evidenced that Jesus won the battle over Satan. We received criticisms from other people who find devotion to Sto. Niño a form of heresy and idolatry but we shamed them by our number when we were never hindered by undesirable weather condition. Indeed devotion is neither a private or a public prayer but a life given to God. Thank you so much to all the faithfuls who continue to love Jesus despite the hardships faced right now.

I RESPECT SENIOR CITIZENS

I was at an SM Billing counter falling in line to pay for my insurance dues when suddenly just before my turn to pay, the payment process was stopped for almost 20 minutes. The old man at around 70's ahead of me claimed that he paid 690 pesos but the cashier said she only received 640 pesos. But the man insisted that he gave one five hundred bill, two forty bills and one fifty pesos bill. So the cashier decided to count all the money in her vault, after counting she told the old man "sir, i am honest here i do not have excess amount of 50 pesos, that means you only gave 640 pesos and not 690 pesos". Still the old man argued that he gave 690 pesos (1 five hundred bill, 2 forty pesos bills and 1 fifty pesos bill) but the cashier said "that would be impossible sir otherwise i will have an excess money here" and so the old man said " its not anymore my fault, im sure i gave you the right amount, I had it prepared before i came here and i do not have anymore money here". And the argument continued until the other payers falling in line complained already to stopped the argument and continue with the payment process. However the two did not stop instead the argument came to worst. So I told the cashier to stopped and ill pay the 50 pesos of the old man. The old man consoled me and he was suppose to continue arguing with the cashier but he was stopped by the colleague of the cashier so he left the counter.

Sometimes we need to know what is the best thing to do in worst situations. I was just there waiting for 20 minutes before the argument could stop. I have to sacrifice an amount of fifty pesos before the cashier could stop arguing with the old man when the best thing she could do is to make an incident report of what happened. Thank God He provided me with a solution to the problem and thank God the sacrificial amount was not that big.

I CHOSE TO DO WHAT'S RIGHT

Last month I applied for a non-professional driver's license, beforehand I was told that it is not easy to get one. The process include drug testing, physical examination, written examination and practical test. For a person who do not have a driver's license yet and whose driving experience and vehicle traffic rules and regulation knowledge are very limited it would be a heavy requirement. Three days before my application I enrolled for ten-hour driving lessons and somehow my driving skills were enhanced, however I had problem with backing and parking. These are the major skills that needed more practice. In the morning of December 21, 2009 I passed the written examination and in the afternoon I took the practical test.
Actually, both written and practical tests were stressful activities but when I made it for the written exam somehow I became confident that I would be given a license. There were a number of examinees on that day. My driving instructor told me to relax and be calm but I also saw a glimpse of anxiety in his face. He had to practice me for the most common instructions that the LTO examiner will give. I prayed so hard also to passed the examination. There was really inner tension in me and at the back of my mind i said to myself '"you will be able to make it". If you are scared that would mean you needed someone UP to assist you.
After series of examinees passing the practical test I saw one of them gave money to the examiner. Although it was done unobtrusively I still saw from a far that he accepted a bill. I was shocked, I did not know that we have such terrible government employee, receiving bribe in public. When I told my instructor about what I saw he said that I better give as well the examiner money for a sure passing mark then he handed me the purple bill. However I refused to do so. He insisted that I be the one to give the bribe but I refused for many times and told him that It will be alright with me to fail in the practical test if I so deserve it. But my examiner explain that it will take another month to take the examination again, but still i remain firm of my decision. I commented " if i bribe that examiner the more he will not go to heaven" my instructor was silenced. When it was my turn to take the test I befriended the examiner and made good few conversations with him and it was then that I knew I passed because I was able to follow all of his instructions.

I chose to do what is right because I want to believe that I really deserve to pass and not because I paid the examiner. I chose to do what is right because I know I won't be helping the examiner and myself grow into a better person. I chose to do what is right because I know It was be the wisest thing to do and praise God! He reminded me to do what is right.

PIT SENYOR!!!! (BATO BALANI SA GUGMA)