MANILA, Philippines – Malaca?ang on Monday said they respect the opinion of Sarangani Rep. and 8-division boxing champ Manny Pacquiao on the Reproductive Health bill, and called for calm and sobriety in the debate over the controversial measure.
“We respect the opinion of Congressman Pacquiao. We believe that his faith compels him to speak out his views on the reproductive health bill. We may have divergent views. We respect his opinion,” presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a press briefing.
Pacquiao recently came back to the country last Saturday after defending his World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title against Shane Mosley. In an interview, he said the RH bill is not the solution in alleviating the country?s woes.
?Hindi [RH bill] ang solusyon para sa kahirapan. Ang solusyon sa kahirapan ay sugpuin ang korupsyon, dahil ?yan ang talagang pumipinsala at nagpapahirap sa mga tao,? he said.
Pacquiao clarified that his stand to oppose the RH bill was based on his own decision and, more importantly, on his religious beliefs.
?Hindi naman ako pwede mag pro-RH dahil madasalin akong tao. May takot ako sa Panginoon. Ang boss ko kasi ang Panginoon. Ayokong labagin ang kautusan ng Panginoon,? said Pacquiao.
However, Pacquiao said he is open to discussions regarding the RH bill.
?Pwede namang pag-usapan. Kailangan magharap-harap ang pro and anti,? he said.
Calm, sobriety
The Palace is also calling for calm and sobriety in the debate over the RH bill. Lacierda asked bishops and individual members of the Catholic Church to refrain from name-calling and issuing insulting words against RH advocates, who Lacierda said, have been branded as “Osama bin Laden” and “mass murderers.”
“It’s just sad that people we respect, people who are men of faith, and who are men of cloth would be issuing statements that are highly inflammatory. We do not expect these statements from bishops… Sana maghinay-hinay sila, mag nilay-nilay kung ano ang sinasabi nila,” Lacierda said.
He said the Palace “will turn the other cheek.” He quoted the President as saying, “Let’s not throw stones,” when the President was informed of talks of having him excommunicated.
Nonetheless, Lacierda said the President wants to work with the Church on other issues like addressing poverty.
The Palace is still studying the consolidated RH bill. “We have not categorically made a statement of support. We are studying it. However, we can say that most of the provisions are in tune with the Presidents position. But we are studying further the consequences of HB 4424,” he said.
