SC to rule on RH Law legality: Church vows to bring the fight to the people

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — The Supreme Court is now set to decide on the constitutionality of the Reproductive Health Law, and a church official in this city vowed that the Church will continue its campaign against the statute to the people.

Monsignor Victorino Rivas, rector of the Shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual Help and judicial vicar of the Diocese of Bacolod, said there is nothing the Church can do in case the High Court declares the RH Law constitutional.

"We have to deal with it, but we have to educate the people that it is a bad law," Rivas said, adding that "this is a new ball game."

Rivas said the Church will continue its fight against the law. "We'll make an extra effort to talk to the people and tell them not to go to health centers to avail themselves of contraceptives."

RH Law will potentially lead to abortion, he said. "We have to convince the people that abortion is bad."

Rivas said, "This is a free country. If they don't want to listen, then what can we do?" However, he said that talking with the people should continue, even if conducting rallies and 'Team Patay/Team Buhay' tarpaulin would not work.

Anytime this week, the SC will have its final deliberation on the constitutionality of the RH Law, which was signed by President Benigno Aquino III in December 2012.

Under the law, the government will fund sex education in public schools, provide contraceptives to couples and educate mothers on reproductive health options.

Rivas said the Church needs to pray that the SC will disapprove the RH Law, as he pointed out that it's not only the Church that opposes it but also other sectors. (FREEMAN)