A GUIDE TO ARGUMENTS FOR AND AGAINST THE REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH BILL

This matrix has been prepared by a group of Catholics who feel that a systematic comparison of the arguments for and against the reproductive health (RH) bill may still serve some purpose at this juncture. It may help to bring the debate from the emotional temper which has characterized it thus far, to a more rational temper in which both sides attempt to comprehend each others perspectives. It is hoped that this presentation will allow each side to view the others argumentation as the legitimate offering of reasons in good faith which ought to characterize a democratic process of deliberation. Such a process must be valued equally by all who are committed to living together in a democracy, be they Catholic or non-Catholic, pro- or anti-contraception. Questions in the final column are provided to aid further reflection, with a view to clarifying positions and, perhaps, to building compromises that are morally and politically acceptable to both sides. Eleanor R. Dionisio

ISSUE

ANTI-RH BILL

PRO-RH BILL

QUESTIONS

I. LEGISLATION OF AN RH-BILL Necessity of RH Bill

1. Overpopulation 1. Overpopulation is not the problem. The problems are government corruption and the unequal distribution of wealth and resources. 1. Managing population growth is not the sole solution to poverty but is part of the solution. Are overpopulation and graft and corruption mutually exclusive issues? Or ought they to be addressed simultaneously?

2. Availability/Provision of RH information, resources and services

2. RH information and services are already available.

2.

Access to RH information and services is difficult for the poor. Local government officials can also prevent access through local legislation.

Is It legitimate for local government units unilaterally to enact laws that limit access to RH information and services in their localities?

3. Healthcare for mothers and children, especially among the poor and

3. Other laws already cover many healthcare issues, such as breastfeeding, domestic

3. Providing poor couples with options for planning families can help further to improve

Is the Church doing enough to educate poor couples about Natural Family Planning (NFP)?

ISSUE
vulnerable groups

ANTI-RH BILL
violence, HIV/AIDS discrimination, and drug regulation.

PRO-RH BILL
the life chances of mothers and children.

QUESTIONS
Are existing health care policies and programs adequate to the needs of mothers and children? Is the Church doing enough to support and push for the provision of health care for mothers and children by existing policies and programs? How does one strike a balance between recognizing universal goods that must be protected and respecting the different ways religious traditions interpret the protection of these goods?

Morality of RH Bill

The RH Bill is not just a Catholic issue but concerns universal human rights and values. The Bill threatens intrinsic rights, such as the right to life, health, education of children, and religious freedom.

Because the RH Bill affects all Filipinos, not just Catholics, it allows every Filipino to choose the method of family planning and sexual education that is consistent with ones religious beliefs and moral convictions. The Bill actually protects human rights by providing freedom of choice. While each religious group is free and encouraged to express its moral convictions, the State cannot favor one religious group over the others. The constitutional guarantee of religious freedom obligates the State to protect religious minorities from the legislative imposition of the beliefs of religious majorities.

Separation of Church and State

The State should adopt the Catholic position because the majority of Filipinos are Catholic.

What is the proper relationship between the Catholic Church and a democratic government of a religiously plural society?

The Catholic teachings on contraception are based on natural law which is accessible and applicable to all.

Even the interpretation of natural law can vary from one religious tradition to another.

How can differing religious interpretations of natural law arrive at common ground for the crafting of policy? Is it productive to use taxes for education on reproductive health

Use of Government Funds

Government funds to be allocated for the distribution of

The government, while trying to provide basic social services,

ISSUE

ANTI-RH BILL
contraceptives and the implementation of other components of the RH Bill can better be used improving educational and health services, especially for the poor. Taxes paid by the majority Catholic Filipinos should not be spent on contraceptives, the usage of which is deemed immoral by the Catholic Church.

PRO-RH BILL
considers the implementation of the RH Bill integral to improving the lives of Filipinos, the poor especially.

QUESTIONS
and for the provision of better access to artificial contraceptives? Can better ways of using taxes be proposed?

Taxes, once paid to the government, have no religious identity and are to be used for the common good.

In what other ways are taxes used which violate Catholic teaching? Do Catholics claim the right to contest all those uses and if not, what criteria are used to decide which of such uses to contest?

II. CONTENTS OF THE RH-BILL Abortion

1. Abortifacients 1. The Bill will allow contraceptiveswith abortifacient effectsto be sold and accessed legally, thus potentially contributing to the rise of abortions. 1. The Constitution prohibits abortion and the RH Bill recognizes that abortion is illegal. The Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) can prevent the sale and distribution of drugs or devices that have harmful effects to human life or health. 3. The RH Bill is silent on this matter, but indirectly refers to the Constitution which upholds protection of the unborn at the moment of conception. Is the BFAD effectively doing its job of implementing existing laws that protect the sanctity of life and health of Filipinos?

2. Start of Human Life

2. Human life starts at the moment of fertilization.

Should there be specific legislation clearly to define the start of human life at the moment of fertilization, in order to aid the interpretation of the constitutional prohibition against abortion?

Contraception
1. Morality 1. Contraception violates the integrity and sacredness of 1. Catholics are not forced by the bill to use contraception; How should a Church in the modern world, with commitment to

ISSUE

ANTI-RH BILL
the marital act, the purpose of which is unitive (uniting the couple in love and fidelity) and procreative (producing offspring).

PRO-RH BILL
they can use NFP if they wish. However, other religious groups do not find contraception immoral for married couples. 3. NFP can fail also and lead to abortion decisions. Abortion decisions can also be made when people who do not use any form of contraception are unable to abstain. Contraceptives can prevent abortion because they can prevent unwanted pregnancies.

QUESTIONS
ecumenism and interreligious dialogue, engage in public discourse over matters about which moral norms differ along religious lines? Who has the authority and competence to speak on the effectiveness of family planning methods: the Church, the scientific community, or the end users? What is the real relationship between contraception and abortion based on empirical evidence?

2. Effectiveness

2. Contraceptives are not always reliable and effective in preventing conception. They can fail and such failures can lead to abortion decisions.

3. Consequences
a. Sexual Behavior 3a. The availability of contraceptives can encourage risky and irresponsible sexual behavior, especially among the youth. This consequent contraceptive mentality reduces sexuality to its physical component, fosters sexual promiscuity, and can undermine marriages. 3b. Contraceptives can cause cancer and other health problems. 3a. Contraceptives, with proper information and guidance, can prevent the worst consequences of irresponsible sexual acts, such as unplanned pregnancies, abortions, and the spread of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). What are authoritative and reliable data on the relationship between access to contraceptives and increases in rates of premarital/extra marital sex, STDs, and teenage pregnancies?

b. Health

3b. Contraceptives like other available drugs or food can have health-related sideeffects, whether used properly or improperly. What is important is regulation and proper information for users.

What contraceptives available in the Philippines have medically proven dangerous side effects? Is the BFAD properly doing its job of preventing the sale of contraceptives that have dangerous side-effects? Are users properly informed

ISSUE

ANTI-RH BILL

PRO-RH BILL

QUESTIONS
before they are prescribed, given, or sold such contraceptives?

Sex Education
1. By Parents 1. Parents have the responsibility for the sexual education of their children. 1. Parents can opt not to send their children to the sex education courses provided by the Bill. 2. School-based sex education is necessary as a support to parent-administered sex education. How does the Church prepare parents to teach their children about the values and virtues related to sexuality? Is it acceptable to provide for sectarian schools to have their own curriculum for sexuality education that conforms to their religious traditions?

2. By Schools

2. The mandatory nature of the sex education curriculum of the Bill will force Catholic schools to teach matters that go against Catholic teachings.