Church faces defeat on family-planning bill in Philippines

August 06, 2012

Lawmakers in the Philippines have moved closer to approval of a sweeping family-planning bill, despite strong opposition from the Catholic Church.

“May God have mercy on our Congress,” said Archbishop Angel Lagdameo of Jaro, after the lower house of the legislature voted to end debate on the legislation. The Reproductive Health bill calls for sex-education classes in schools beginning at the 5th-grade level, and for government-funded distribution of contraceptives.

After a final vote in the House—where it is expected to win approval—the legislation must also be approved by the Senate and signed by President Benigno Aquino, who has urged its passage.

 

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Further information:

• Philippines Set to Vote on Reproductive Health Bill (New York Times)
• Philippine lawmakers speed birth control vote (AFP)
• Lawmakers Weigh Reproductive-Health Bill in the Philippines (Wall Street Journal)