"The Philippines: Preserving a Culture of Life" highlights fight against RH Bill as Filipino Congress reconvenes in May
Fr. Shenan J. Boquet
President, Human Life International
FRONT ROYAL, Virginia -- As legislators in the Philippines continue to push for a vote on the anti-life Reproductive Health (RH) Bill, a pro-life documentary highlighting the fight against the bill is set to re-air in the Philippines just days after the congress reconvenes in May.
Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) will re-air the short documentary film "The Philippines: Preserving a Culture of Life," produced by Human Life International (HLI), on May 9th and 10th in the Philippines. The Filipino Congress is currently in recess, and will resume session on May 7.
The short film will also re-air in the U.S. and Canada on EWTN on Wednesday, May 9th at 2:30 pm, and Friday May 11th at 5:30 pm EST.
HLI has also recently released the documentary online through the website Gloria.tv, and it is available to view and purchase at www.hli.org/thephilippines.
"HLI defends life and family all around the world, and there are dynamic struggles happening throughout our mission field. But what is truly remarkable about the Philippines is how the people have continued to fight with such enthusiasm and success for over thirteen years," said HLI President Father Shenan J. Boquet. "Filipinos have faced tremendous international pressure to abandon their pro-life, pro-family values and embrace the 'reproductive health' culture, which is a culture of death. We hope that the re-airing of HLI's short film on EWTN and its release online will help to further bolster the efforts of our Filipino brothers and sisters."
A version of the RH Bill has been filed and re-filed in Congress since 1998, but pro-lifers have rallied the public to defeat the bill every year. Among other objectionable provisions, the RH Bill would force medical professionals and businesses to promote and perform a full range of "reproductive health services," regardless of conscientious objection. The bill promises to fine and jail opponents who spread as-yet-undefined "malicious" falsehoods about the bill, and requires couples to undergo government-mandated RH training and certification before they can obtain a marriage license.
Pro-life advocates also contend that the RH Bill directly contradicts the protections of life and family guaranteed in the Filipino Constitution which states, "The State recognizes the sanctity of family life and shall protect and strengthen the family as a basic autonomous social institution. It shall equally protect the life of the mother and the life of the unborn from conception."
To view and purchase "The Philippines: Preserving a Culture of Life," and learn more about the RH Bill, visit www.hli.org/thephilippines.
About HLI: Human Life International: For the Glory of God and defense of Life, Faith and Family. Founded in 1981, HLI is the world's largest international pro-life and pro-family organization, with affiliates and associates in over 100 countries on six continents. www.hli.org
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