FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: March 28, 2011
CONTACT: Stephen Phelan 540-622-5270 – SPhelan@hli.org – www.hli.org
RH Bill Fails to Pass in Philippines
International Pro-Life leader credits strong grass roots and Church leadership, urges continued prayer, activism and vigilance
MANILA, Philippines – The controversial “Reproductive Health (RH) Bill” has failed to pass on the final day of the legislative session of the Filipino House of Representatives. The bill, which was heavily promoted by Western Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) who were furiously campaigning for its passage during “National Women’s Month,” is not dead, however, and will likely be taken up in the next session, which begins in May.
“All of the wealthy NGOs who saw this as their best chance to pass the RH bill are discouraged that they still don’t have a majority in this pro-life, pro-family country,” said Rene Bullecer, MD, country director for Human Life International (HLI) Philippines. “Hundreds of millions of dollars have been spent, but they have not been able to overcome the power of truth and of prayer. Still, we know that they will not give up and that their pockets are bottomless, so we still have lots of work to do before the next session begins.”
The bill, sometimes also called the “Responsible Parenthood” bill, has been denounced unanimously by every pro-life and pro-family organization in the Philippines.
“The arrogance of sterile Western elites trying to tell Filipinos how to be ‘responsible parents’ is truly stunning,” said Monsignor Ignacio Barreiro-Carámbula, interim president of Human Life International. “But Christians are united against the bill. The Catholic Church is seeing strong leadership from its bishops and priests, and they are standing united with fellow Christians around the Philippines. They realize the mortal threat that the RH bill represents to their families and their future, and the more that people learn about it, the more vehemently they oppose it.”
“This is definitely a victory for life and family,” said Monsignor Barreiro. “But it is only temporary — it is not the end of the war. We and our partners will continue to grow the opposition to this destructive bill.”
About HLI: Human Life International: Pro-Life Missionaries to the World. Founded in 1981, HLI is the world’s largest international pro-life organization and has affiliates and associates in over 100 countries on six continents. www.hli.org
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Monday, March 28, 2011
PRESS RELEASE: RH Bill Fails to Pass in Philippines
via hli.org
