Lagman: Stop spreading lies against RH bill

MANILA, Philippines – Albay representative Edcel Lagman calls on church officials and their supporters to stop spreading lies against the hotly-contested Reproductive Health (RH) bill.

In a statement released on Sunday, August 5, Lagman called on the clergy and lay supporters to prevent the spread of “black propaganda, political intimidation, and virulent malevolence” in opposing the controversial bill.

“The prayer of the clergy against the RH bill unwarrantedly overlooks the reality of the inevitable linkage between population and poverty; mocks scientific and medical data on the safety of non-abortive contraceptives; and defies empirical and periodic surveys that Filipinos overwhelmingly want the enactment of the RH bill.”

He adds that while the freedom of expressions allows for anti-RH bill sentiments, “play of words purveying misinformation, falsities and deceit is not protected by the Constitution and statutes.”

Church officials and supporters have branded the RH bill as anti-life due to the bill’s support on the use of contraceptives, which was branded as “corruption” and “mother of all abortions.”

Lagman clarified in his statement that contraceptives does not pose any harm on women’s bodies, and that it actually prevents “high risk, unwanted and teenage pregnancies.”

“It is not anti-life to prevent 30% of maternal mortality and foreclose one million infant deaths worldwide as documented by the WHO and UNICEF,” he said.

He also corrected the claims of church officials that sex education, which the bill promotes, will bring about “irresponsible behavior” among the young. “Consequently, instead of spawning sex perverts and promiscuity among the young, sexuality education breeds sexually informed and responsible youngsters,” he said.

Lagman introduced in Congress House Bill 4244, or the Reproductive Health Bill. The hotly-debated bill is up for a crucial vote at the House of Representatives on August 7. – Rappler.com