As business groups seek RH law TRO's lifting, Nancy Binay calls its implementation 'worrying'
InterAksyon.com
The online news portal of TV5
MANILA – Two contrasting views emerged Tuesday, the International Day of the Unborn, as four business groups called for the lifting of a TRO that has stopped the implementation of the Reproductive Health Law for the past year, while Senator Nancy Binay said its enforcement—with the lifting—would be “worrying.”
In a statement issued to media, four business groups affirmed their strong support for the immediate implementation of the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012, saying it is a significant part of the country’s direct strategy for poverty reduction and improvement of maternal and child health care.
The statement was issued by the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP), Makati Business Club (MBC), Management Association of the Philippines (MAP), and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI).
In contrast, Senator Nancy Binay issued a statement on saying that despite the presence of laws which uphold the unborn child’s right to life, there still exist threats to its future. She said in a statement marking the International Day of the Unborn, that “as parents, protecting our children from harm should be our priority especially during pregnancy when their lives are most vulnerable.”
This is why, she added, “the prospect of the implementation of a law which will interfere with the creation of life or deny life to the unborn is worrying.”
Business groups: law reflect people’s will
“We maintain our position that this health measure, which underwent more than 14 years of thorough deliberation and definitively passed by both chambers of Congress, reflects the true will of the people and is an illustration that democracy prevails in our nation,” the business groups said in their joint statement.
At the same time, the groups reiterated their “unequivocal opposition” to any measure that condones abortion in any way and limits free choice. “The RH Law successfully hurdles these concerns. In fact, we strongly believe that the law protects and enhances the people’s Constitutionally-enshrined rights to life and good health, freedom of choice, and a living wage and income.”
The groups added: “While we await the resolution of the law’s fate by the Supreme Court, we remain steadfast in our stand that responsible parenthood and reproductive health are significant components of the country’s direct strategy for poverty reduction and improved maternal and child healthcare.”
They said the RH Law complements current and proposed initiatives to address long-standing challenges to the country’s development. “As such, in our goal to attain sustainable and inclusive growth, the RH Law must be fully and properly implemented without delay.”
Binay’s stand on RH law
Meanwhile, Binay, mother of four, on Tuesday expressed concern over the implementation of the RH law, saying it contradicted existing laws protecting the unborn.
Aside from existing laws, Binay cited Bible verses saying children are blessings from God. “Psalm 127:3 says ‘Behold, children are a blessing from the Lord. The fruit of the womb is a reward. Like armies in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one's youth.’”
She added: “The Church believes that life begins when an ovum is fertilized. Life begins and should be respected from the moment of conception.” The right to life is also embedded in Section 12 under Article 11 of the 1987 Constitution which declares that “the State recognizes the sanctity of family life and shall protect and strengthen the family as a basic autonomous social institution. It shall equally protect the life of the mother and the life of the unborn from conception,” she said.
Binay cited as well Articles 256, 257, 258 and 259 of the Revised Penal Code which penalize anyone who intentionally causes abortion as well as Chapter 4 Article 40 of the Civil Code which states that “birth determines personality; but the conceived child shall be considered born for all purposes that are favorable to it.”
“This International Day of the Unborn, let us stand up for the rights of the unborn who cannot fight for themselves,” she added.
She then urged citizens to defend mothers by making the right choice to choose life and allow the unborn to live.
“Biyaya po ng Diyos ang pagkakaroon ng anak at bilang isang ina, alam ko po ang ligayang hatid ng pagkakaroon ng mga anak. Importante po ang buhay at lalong mas nararapat proteksiyunan, lalo na ang nasa sinapupunan pa,” Binay said.
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