Families Against RH Bill

MANIFESTO

FAMILIES AGAINST THE RH BILL

Whereas, there is a proposed RH Bill being deliberated in Congress that threatens the very foundations of the Filipino family as an institution.

Whereas, we the undersigned families as the most affected stakeholders must take an active part in discussions relating to the welfare of the family.

Whereas, we as citizens of the Republic are opposed to the passage of the proposed bill known as "The Responsible Parenthood, Reproductive Health and Population and Development Act of 2011" for the following reasons:

1. The RH Bill is anti Family. The contraceptive lifestyle destroys the very foundations family. Contraceptives bring about the downgrading of marriage, disrespect for ones spouse, usually the wife; leads to more extramarital sex, more fatherless children and single mothers as proven by Nobel prize winner, George Akerlof.

2. Parents are the primary educators of their children. As parents, we do not agree that children from age 10 to 17 should be taught sexual rights and the means to have a satisfying and "safe" sex life as part of their school curriculum (Sec. 16, Mandatory Age-Appropriate Reproductive Health and Sexuality Education). We also oppose other provisions such as losing our parental authority over a minor child who was raped and found pregnant (Section 28a. No. 2).

3. As citizens, we do not want to be subjected to imprisonment and/or pay a fine, for expressing an opinion against any provision of the proposed RH law, if such expression of opinion is interpreted as constituting "malicious disinformation" (Sec. 28, Prohibited Acts, Par. e and Sec. 29, Penalties).

4. As spouses, we do not agree that our husband or wife can undergo a ligation or vasectomy without our consent or knowledge. (Sec. 28, Prohibited Acts).

5. As taxpayers, we are against the misuse of our money that the proposed RH Bill will do. If Filipino families are too poor to afford artificial contraceptives, they are also too poor to afford essential medicines that can cure real killer diseases. HB 5043 places an overwhelming emphasis on contraception at the expense of all other values, including medical care for the sick and the dying. Top 10 causes of Morbidity/Death in the Philippines lists Pneumonia, Bronchitis, Diarrhea, Influenza and Hypertension as the highest ranking causes of death among women. There is a distortion of human values if we prioritize the prevention of procreation over saving lives.

6. The RH Bill lies about science facts on the use of artificial contraceptives.

The pill and the IUD kill babies: human life begins at fertilization, when the male sperm penetrates the female egg. The pill has a secondary post-fertilization effect, according to the American Medical Association. The American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology has declared that the intrauterine device brings about destruction of the early embryo.

The pill causes cancer. The International Agency for Research on Cancer in 2007 reported that the pill causes cancer, giving it the HIGHEST LEVEL OF CARCINOGENICITY, THE SAME AS CIGARETTES AND ASBESTOS. It also causes stroke, and significantly increases the risk of heart attacks.

The condom has been blamed for the increase in the incidence of HIV/AIDS in countries that resorted to it, notably Africa and Thailand.

7. The RH Bill is based on wrong economics.

There is no clear correlation between population growth and economic development, according to Simon Kuznets, Nobel Prize winner in the science of economics.

Population control is not an ingredient for high economic growth, as found by the 2008 Commission on Growth and Development headed by Nobel Prize winner Michael Spence. The growth factors are: governance, openness to knowledge, stable finances, market allocation, investment and savings.

The RH Bill is based on flawed data on population growth rates and fertility levels. In 1960, the average number of children per Filipina in her lifetime was seven. By 1980 it was five. By 2000 it was 3.5. In 2010 the NSO projected in at 3.0 and about 2.65 by 2020 near the replacement level of 2.25. The RH Bill ignores the negative impact on the economy and society of an ageing population

PHs Population Growth Rate has declined since the Year 2000 Census of 2.36\%. UN states it at 1.8\%, whilst the NCSO reports 1.94\% for 2005-2010. RPs without the benefit of government-funded contraceptives envisioned by the RH Bill.

Therefore based on the aforementioned facts, we, concerned Filipino Familes, w enjoin the national government, particularly our legislators, to SCRAP THE RH BILL pending in the Congress.

Furthermore, We enjoin our fellow countrymen to know the facts about the arguments in this national issue seriously affecting families, and to make a stand and protect the right of the Filipino families.

FAMILIES AGAINST RH BILL