I am a Catholic and I believe that every Catholic has a duty to stand up and be counted on this critically important matter of Morality, Reproductive and Family health.

I feel strongly that this is a matter of conscience for every responsible adult as opposed to a matter of dogma as the “Church” would have us believe. I would not be allowed to vote on the measure if it were put to the popular vote, nevertheless, I strongly support the RH Bill.

Women are people and not the chattels of a patriarchal society, to be kept barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen. They have rights and serious responsibilities when it comes to their own reproductive health as well as to the overall health of their families.

The Government of Philippines, I believe, should help women in every way possible to achieve a level of control over their reproductive lives as well as their own overall health and that of their families. It’s past time to  confront the ‘old, not so reliable’ rhythm method or outright  abstinence as espoused by the Church and to demystify all of the various methods of birth control that are possible and which should be made available to Filipino families.

It must also make freely available to all Filipinas and their partners as much accurate and detailed information as possible on the various methods of responsible family planning. These methods include, in part, condoms, the pill, inter-uterine devices and yes, even tubal ligation or vasectomy (as an aside for the ‘gentlemen’: vasectomy does not affect “your manhood” or negatively impact your performance, in fact, it may even enhance both…).  Once all Filipinas and their spouses have the complete information, they will be able to fully consider their options and finally make their own informed decisions based on this knowledge and based on their own individual consciences.

Lastly, the Bishops and Priests have no business in the bedrooms of the nation. They should cease their threats of excommunication and the branding as heretics people who believe in the rights of Filipinas and their partners to complete and full disclosure about their reproductive choices.