Duterte: 3-child policy just a ‘suggestion’

Pia Ranada

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Duterte: 3-child policy just a ‘suggestion’

Manman Dejeto

'I cannot force the people to follow. We are just suggesting that you are in good hands if you just limit the number of your children,' says President-elect Rodrigo Duterte

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – President-elect Rodrigo Duterte clarified his 3-child policy at a press conference on Monday, May 23.

“I cannot force the people to follow. We are just suggesting that you are in good hands if you just limit the number of your children,” he said days after reports of his planned 3-child policy were circulated by media.

Aside from promoting the 3-child limit to Filipino families, he said he would make artificial birth control readily availably for all. 

As Davao City mayor, he’s had experience implementing family-planning programs. Davao City was among the first to distribute contraceptives for free and provide assistance to poor women who wished to have tubal ligation.

Duterte said a more aggressive approach to family planning is necessary “because  our resources cannot meet the demand.”

At the same time, he continued his attack on the Catholic Church for opposing certain methods of family planning.

Napakabobo ng Catholic Church….Buti sana kung magbigay ang Katoliko ng honorarium. Sabi ko nga, kung hindi makatulong ‘yang simbahan, huwag na kayo makinig diyan. Kabalastugan ‘yan,” he said.

(The Catholic Church is so stupid….It would be okay if it gave honorarium to poor families. Like I said, if the church can’t help, don’t listen to it. It’s nonsense.)

He even joked that Filipinos should just convert to another religion.

Lipat na lang kayo dito sa Iglesia ni Duterte (Just convert to the Church of Duterte),” he said, eliciting laughter from the media.

The Catholic Church was among the loudest voices that opposed the passage of the Reproductive Health Law which requires the government to provide universal access to contraception methods, fertility control, and sexual education. – Rappler.com

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Pia Ranada

Pia Ranada is Rappler’s Community Lead, in charge of linking our journalism with communities for impact.