Wanted: “Celebrity Catholics” to Help Pass Family Planning Bill in the Philippines

By Lisa Correnti | December 15, 2011

In an op-ed titled Foreign agents funding the RH bill? Hmmmm, Bobit Avila questions whether foreign pressure is the reason Philippine President Benigno “P-Noy” Aquino III is pressuring his legislature to pass the Reproductive Health (RH) bill.

Avila wants to know where all the money is coming from to promote the RH bill. He points to a group called the Forum for Family Planning Development (FFPD), a reproductive right/family planning NGO, that is recruiting prominent or celebrity Catholics to help advocate for the passing of the bill. FFPD donors include the usual: UNFPA, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Avila met recently with US Ambassador Harry Thomas, who said the U.S. does not hold a position on the RH bill. “The United States does not have a policy regarding the RH bill in the Philippines,” said Thomas.

In 2009, the Wallace Global Fund or Catholics For Choice donated $75,000 “for a pilot program dubbed “Translating Research into Action” in support of the advocacy for Reproductive Health Rights in the Philippines.”

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) opposes the bill. Fr. Melvin Castro of the Bishops Commission on Family Life said the bill would promote a “contraceptive mentality” due to the pro-contraception and sex education components of the bill. The bishops also believe this could be a first step to legalize abortion in the country.

Avila feels elected officials need to first investigate the source of the funds before the legislature moves forward with further discussion.

Share on Facebook
Share on Twitter