Office of Rep. Edcel C. Lagman

Independent-Albay

0918-9120137 09166406737

03 August 2012

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s current stance against the RH bill is a complete abandonment of the Statement of Support for the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) which she signed on 25 January 2005 on behalf of the Philippine government.

It will be recalled that the Philippines was among the 179 countries which were signatories to the ICPD Program of Action 18 years ago.

Arroyo anchored the government’s support for ICPD on four pillars, namely: (1) responsible parenthood; (2) respect for life or policy against abortion; (3) birth spacing; and (4) informed choice.

All of these fundamentals are the foundation of the Reproductive Health bill.

In said Statement of Support, the former President said that the country “promotes Responsible Parenthood, which is the will and ability to respond to the needs and aspirations of the family. It promotes the freedom of responsible parents to decide on the timing and size of their families in pursuit of a better life.”

The foregoing statement is identical to the definition and import of responsible parenthood as provided for in the RH bill.

The Statement of Support underscored that the “State promotes Respect for Life. The 1987 Constitution protects the life of the unborn from conception. Abortion is unacceptable as a method of family planning. Pursuant to this principle, we endorse the term Reproductive Health or Reproductive Health Services only on the condition that is explicitly excludes abortion.”

The foregoing commitment against abortion is repeatedly provided for in the RH bill when it emphasizes that abortion is illegal, punishable and is not a prescribed method of family planning.

Arroyo further stated that the Philippines “promotes Birth Spacing. Proper spacing of 3 to 5 years from recent pregnancy enables women to recover from pregnancy and improves their wellbeing, as well as the health of the child and the relationship between husband and wife and between parents and children.”

The right of parents to freely and responsibly determine the number and spacing of their children is among the basic human rights being protected and promoted by the RH bill.

In the said Statement of Support, Arroyo also undertook that the “State respects Informed Choice. Couples and individuals may choose the methods that they will use to exercise Responsible Parenthood in accordance with their religious and ethical values and cultural background, subject to conformity with universally recognized international human rights.”

The freedom of informed choice accorded to parents, couples and women is central to the RH bill together with respect for religious beliefs.

Since former President Arroyo’s Statement of Support for ICPD parallels the provisions of the RH bill, she has no reason to reject the measure.