PHILIPPINE ALLIANCE OF X-SEMINARIANS

PAX STATEMENT AGAINST RH BILL

The Philippine Alliance of X-Seminarians (PAX), a network of seminary alumni associations and former seminarians organizations, groups and individuals from various geographic locations, missions and dioceses throughout the Philippines, and with global memberships among the flock, do hereby declare our opposition to the passage of the RH Bill pending in the Congress of the Republic of the Philippines. In a forum hosted on 20 May 2011 at the PAX Event Center, located at #2 Dr. Rivera St, corner Sct. Chuatoco St. Quezon City, Pro and Anti RH Bill Proponents, Speakers and Guests delivered their respective views, opinions and comments, citing the highlights as well as the pros and cons of the RH Bill. After an exhaustive and unbiased deliberation of the issues presented, a concerned consensus and a critical conclusion was arrived at, among the cross sector attendees, to wit: That the RH Bill is superfluous, untimely and unnecessary, manipulative and deceitful; a wastage of peoples money and the countrys limited resources; a callous imposition and malicious attempt at subjugating third world resources; a sinister policy on the Philippine economy, population management and responsible parenthood; a lucid and compromising deculturization and adulteration of the delicate and fragile Filipino Heritage and Family Values; a cynical commercialization of contraceptives and artificial birth control devices, promoting promiscuity in the society, and particularly detrimental to the youth of the land; a fallacious argument tampering with the inviolable rights of the Filipino Mother and Child; a scheming vehicle of corruption and for perpetuation in public office that will cater further to the greed of unscrupulous public officials; and a devious means to funnel and plunder the countrys fiscal budget and expected donations from major international players; and a circumvention of the Philippine Constitution and our inalienable rights. The nurture and protection of Life and Family, of Mother and Child; the promotion of responsible parenthood and early sex education of the youth so that they avoid the risks of unwanted pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases and AIDS/HIV must be a program that is first and foremost the commitment of families. Couples need adequate education on sex and parenting so they can comfortably discuss sexuality with their children as they grow. Certainly, the support of the State is needed, but that support must be sincere and genuinely Filipino. The right and noble purposes must not be held hostage to the horrible risks presently imbedded in the proposed RH Bill. The Bill must not conceal these risks by invoking Reproductive Health and claims of overpopulation. We need the inverse to this RH Bill an HR Bill, one on Human Responsibility. Therefore, guided by informed choices and reason, we hereby strongly manifest and vehemently oppose the passage of the RH Bill. Further, we appeal to the patriotic sense of each and every Filipino . . . Rooted in Christ, let us seek for the things that will unite us, rather than those that divide.

God Bless the Filipino nation!