RHB not urgent – Vidal

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Archbishop Emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal said he is not in favor of tagging the passage of the Reproductive Health Bill of President Benigno Aquino III as an "urgent bill".

He also said he is worried for the future but added Aquino already knows the right thing to do since he is already old enough.

"He's old enough to know what to do and let's just see what happens to the future," Vidal said.

During his homily in the first day of the Misa de Gallo at the CCTN chapel yesterday, Vidal said that society should not be run by only one consensus since it should follow the law of God, who knows better.

"Fidelity to our duties mean we cannot take for granted the duty of God has imposed on us responsible individuals and as members of society.  Society cannot run by mere consensus, it must also refer to laws higher than the will of men," Vidal said.

With the passage of the RH Bill in the second reading, the Catholic Church in Cebu said earlier that they can still wait for the third reading and that they still hope for favorable results.

The Catholic Church of Cebu is grateful to those who voted 'No' to the passage of the controversial bill as they have voted according to their conscience, enlightened by the teaching of the Church.

At the same time, they expressed respect to those legislators who voted 'Yes' for the passage of the bill since they have the right to discern the teachings of the Church.

However, once RH Bill will be passed, they should also respect the Church's right to talk against it.

Earlier, sixth District Rep. Luigi Quisumbing, fifth district Rep. Ramon Red Durano and Lapu-Lapu City Rep. Arturo Radaza assured to the Church that they will be against the bill.

But it turned out that they have not made up their minds yet since they abstained.

Quisumbing attended the second hearing but did not vote, Durano was absent and Radaza attended but was not able to wait for the voting since he had a scheduled trip going back to Cebu.

TUCP Rep. Raymond Mendoza is the only pro-RH, which surprised the anti-RH advocates. Mendoza reiterated that he never made any comment giving the impression that he is anti-RH.  —/BRP (FREEMAN)