Deputy Presidential Spokesman Abigail Valte made the statement when asked about the challenge of Lipa City Archbishop Ramon Arguelles for the government to lock up all RH bill foes who would perform acts of civil disobedience if the bill is passed.
“Debates are getting so heated that the issues—the merits and demerits of the proposal reproductive health bill—are not being discussed anymore. It would be better to calm down, and focus on the issue,” Valte said.
She said when President Aquino threatened with sedition RH bill opponents eyeing nontax payment as a form of civil disobedience once the measure is passed, he was merely stressing that it is the “civic duty” of all citizens to pay their taxes, which fund government programs.
Secretary Ramon Carandang of the Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office said Malacañang does not foresee Catholic bishops to be jailed for sedition for opposing the RH bill.
“This is a debate on an issue of national importance. We have different views but expressing these views must be done within the means of the law. That was what the President was saying. There is room for debate. It doesn’t have to degenerate to illegal acts or anything like that,” Carandang said.
‘Pass RH bill now’
AS Congress is set to convene a hearing on the measure on Tuesday, an organization supporting the RH bill called on Sunday for the its immediate passage “because the issue is causing a large division among the people.”
This as the Roman Catholic Church called on the faithful to pray for the lawmakers deciding the bill and for life.
Ramon San Pascual, Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development executive director, told reporters that it is best for the country’s lawmakers to just pass the bill as it would finally put an end to the division that has now turned into “intimidation” and “threats.”
“Hindi na kasi maganda. It has already divided the country so much that nagka-karoon na ng takutan between the Church and the government,” San Pascual said.
He made the statement in reaction to the recent swapping of threats from the two parties.
To recall, the Catholic Church has declared for an “all-out war” against the measure; with the prolife group threatening to launch a civil disobedience campaign by not paying taxes once the measure were enacted into law.
On the other hand, the President retorted that the government is ready to file sedition charges against individuals who will will refuse to pay taxes.
Mr. Aquino appealed to the public to follow the position taken by the government.
“There should be a conclusion to this issue. This is so we can all move [as] one,” San Pascual stressed out on Sunday, adding that the best thing Mr. Aquino can do for now is to include the measure in the government’s priority bill.
On Tuesday the House of Representatives is expected to begin plenary debates on the RH bill.
“With the Church already pulling out of the dialogue with Malacañang, there is no other reason to declare it as a nonpriority measure. It will hasten the movement of the bill as it is tantamount to a direct command to the legislators by the President,” he added.
“It would be his [Aquino] way of helping the RH Bill,” San Pascual said.
Meanwhile, Malolos Bishop Jose Oliveros appealed on Sunday to the public to pray for the legislators who will start the plenary debates on the controversial bill on Tuesday.
“The prolife legislators ask for prayers as they plan on May 17 their moves in this month-long session of congress. Let us pray for them,” he said in a text message on Sunday.
“Let’s continue to pray the Rosary for life and for our beloved Philippines,” Arguelles said in a separate message.
(With S. Fabunan)
