DIOCESE OF NOVALICHES

COMMISSION ON YOUTH

“Church closer to the Youth, Youth closer to the Church”

“…since youth constitutes a large and dynamic portion of the laity, the youth ministry should be assured of the fullest attention and highest priority
in every way by all in the Church.”
(PCP II, Decrees, Article 50, No. 2)

“The State recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation-building and shall promote and protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and
social well-being. It shall inculcate in the youth patriotism and nationalism, and encourage their involvement in public and civic affairs.”
(The 1987 Constitution, Article II, Section 13)

Position Paper on the Consolidated RH Bill (House Bill No. 4244)

As the Catholic Youth Arm of the Diocese of Novaliches, in the light of our Catholic
Faith and in recognition of the supremacy of the Constitution, we highly oppose the
Consolidated RH Bill also known as House Bill No. 4244, An Act Providing for a
Comprehensive Policy on Responsible Parenthood, Reproductive Health, and
Population and Development, and for other Purposes.

We are mindful that this is far from being a religious issue rather it is an imminent
threat to Filipino cultural values regarding human life and morality. Specifically, this
issue affects much of the youth population and the next generations to come who will
inherit the negative effects of the RH Bill. Being the Fairhope of our country and in
consideration of our role in nation-building as well as our freedom to speech, we are making a stand to fight for the values and
aspirations we uphold. In the light of this issue, we would like to state our specific objections on the RH Bill in line with the values we
stand for.

1) We Uphold the Teachings of the Catholic Church

There are provisions wherein the aforementioned bill and the Catholic moral tradition are in contradiction specifically on the
perspective of human life and family planning methods.

A) We Value Procreation and Life

We value the sanctity of procreation and life therefore we oppose the RH Bill because it promotes Contraceptive Mentality
as against Chastity and Purity for which we uphold.

It undermines procreation and love, as it seeks to make available the "...full range of modern family planning
methods." Such provision will allow for an ingrained mindset of engaging in a sexual practice without worries - a practice
which will violate the sanctity of the sexual act, as an act which entails a responsible decision between married couples on
the basis of chastity and purity, practiced within the sacrament of marriage. Moreover, we are stewards of Life and
therefore we should protect it from the very moment of conception. We are pro-life because life is a grace and gift from
God.

B) We Support and Promote Natural Family Planning

The provisions of the Bill highlight Modern Family Planning over Natural Family Planning which the Church advocates.

H.B. 4244, Section 7 Access to Family Planning states that “All accredited health facilities shall provide a full range of
modern family planning methods, except in specialty hospitals which may render such services on optional basis. For poor
patients, such services shall be fully covered by PhilHealth Insurance and/or government financial assistance on a no
balance billing.

SEC. 10. Family Planning Supplies as Essential Medicines provides, “Products and supplies for modern family planning
methods shall be part of the National Drug Formulary and the same shall be included in the regular purchase of essential
medicines and supplies of all national and local hospitals and other government health units.”

2) We Uphold the Fundamental Law which is the Constitution

There are provisions which are unconstitutional.
 A) Life Upon Conception
The 1987 Constitution, Article 2, Section 12 states that “..It shall
equally protect the life of the mother and the life of the unborn
from conception. The natural and primary right and duty of
parents in the rearing of the youth for civic efficiency and the
development of moral character shall receive the support of the
Government.”

Life begins upon conception. To advocate contraceptives is to

prevent the fertilized ovum from implanting itself in the uterus,
depriving the ovum of its natural habitation and life support.
This process in itself is micro-abortion of sort.

B) Primary Right of Parents

The 1987 Constitution, Article 2, Section 12. “…The natural and primary right and duty of parents in the rearing of the youth
for civic efficiency and the development of moral character shall receive the support of the Government.”

The mandatory sex education undermines the natural and primary right of parents in rearing their children.

C) Freedom of Expression
The 1987 Constitution, Article III, Section 4. “No law shall be passed abridging the freedom of speech, of expression, or of the
press…”

We are committed in upholding and preserving freedom, democracy and morality. Thus, we oppose the RH Bill because it
violates freedom of expression as it provides for the criminalization of the speech that “maliciously engages in
disinformation” about the substance behind the RH Bill. This provision undermines democracy.

D) Women Empowerment
The 1987 Constitution, Article II, Section 14. The State recognizes the role of women in nation-building, and shall ensure the
fundamental equality before the law of women and men.

We believe that we should protect and promote women rights and welfare. But this could be done without the RH Law.
Maternal health requires access to healthcare facilities and reproductive health and responsible parenthood education, not
contraceptives.

3) We Uphold Consistency
There are self-contradicting provisions.
A) Sustainable Human Development
The RH bill seeks to provide a "Sustainable Human Development" via "...massive and
sustained information drive on responsible parenthood and on all methods and
techniques to prevent unwanted, unplanned and mistimed pregnancies..." Responsible
parenthood does not begin with a carefree attitude of knowing how to prevent
unwanted pregnancies. Responsible parenthood necessitates an ideal sustainable human
development with intact moral values, not based on a complete knowledge on the
prevention of unwanted pregnancies, but on a complete commitment to limit the sexual
act via natural means in order to manage the family size as accorded by the family's
capacity, after a careful deliberation on much needed resources to raise the desired
number of children.

B) Freedom of Choice vis a vis Mandatory Provisions

H.B. 4244, Section 3 (a) Freedom of choice, which is central to the exercise of right must be fully guaranteed by the
State when there is SEC. 16. Mandatory Age-Appropriate Reproductive Health and Sexuality Education.

4) We Uphold that there is no compelling Need for the RH Bill

A) Social Development-Human Resources

 We believe that “human resources should be at the center of development.” Population is not the problem, but the proper
management of resources and wealth. We should not forget that aside from natural resources, we have our vast human
resources that we should develop by providing sufficient employment, training and benefits so that their levels of living
shall improve and also their productivity. “Mahirap ba tayo dahil marami tayo?” Our nation and economy could be more
productive. Look at the case of the countries who are experiencing demographic problems because of population control
that they had adopted. Instead of channeling the limited funds for the proposed bill, why not dedicate the funds for the
sustaining government programs for job creation and education. It should be noted that a large portion of the unemployed
are from the youth sector. Moreover, many young people still do not or have limited access to education and employment
opportunities.

Overcrowded vis a vis Overpopulation

Pro-RH Bill advocates dwell in the thought that overpopulation is the root cause of poverty. They say that figures show how
the increasing population escalates the problems about health, housing, education, and many others. That is why they are
very eager in setting the minds of the masses that the RH Bill is the only way to avert the issues that affect them, especially
overpopulation.

B) Use of Public Funds for Contraceptions

The Use of Contraceptives is legal in the Philippines by virtue of R.A. 4729 which regulates the sale, dispensation and/or
distribution of contraceptive drugs and devices. But what the consolidated RH Bill is furthering is the appropriation of Public
Funds for Contraceptives.

HB 4244, SEC. 30. Appropriations - The amounts appropriated in the current annual General Appropriations Act (GAA) for
Family Health and Responsible Parenting under the DOH and POPCOM and other concerned agencies shall be allocated and
utilized for the initial implementation of this Act. Such additional sums necessary to implement this Act; provide for the
upgrading of facilities necessary to meet Basic Emergency Obstetric Care and Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric Care
standards; train and deploy skilled health providers; procure family planning supplies and commodities as provided in Sec.
6; and implement other reproductive health services, shall be included in the subsequent GAA.

In a hearing, members of House Committee on Appropriations voted 20-3 to use the P731 million budget for the Family
Health and Responsible Parenthood under the Department of Health (DoH) to meet the budgetary requirement of RH bills
for 2011 only. (Rio Ribaya, Manila Bulletin, February 16, 2011)

We oppose the RH Bill because it will become another source of corruption since in the process of legislation certain
funding and budget is allotted to it specifically in the purchase of contraceptives. Instead of purchasing contraceptives and
other materials, the government should allot more budget to education and health. This budget should be properly
allocated 100 % for the projects to improve quality of education and health care in the country and not fatten the pockets
of multinational companies and politicians. The government should address the real problems of the country.

In a nutshell, we uphold the teachings of Catholic Church, we uphold the

fundamental law which is the Constitution, we uphold consistency, and we
uphold that there is no compelling need for the RH Bill.

Our Call

As the Catholic Youth Arm of the Diocese of Novaliches, we, the Commission on
Youth have collectively and prayerfully reflected on this burning issue,
recognizing the individual views of the young people of the Diocese. We stand
firm on the above mentioned statements and we call on our fellow youth to
advocate the same.

We humbly call on our legislators to recall, withdraw or reject the current RH Bill until such provisions are amended and our calls
respectfully considered.

Signed,

Young Advocates of Love and Life