Obama reverses "Mexico City Policy" paving for funding for more overseas abortion

On January 23, 2009, a day after the 36th commemoration of the landmark decision of the Supreme Court to legalize abortion in USA and 3 days after his inauguration, Pres. Barack Obama reversed the Mexico City Policy—the ban against funding of international groups performing abortions.

“The Mexico City Policy specifies that federal funds for family planning are made available to non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that agree not to perform or promote abortion as a method of family planning in other countries.”—http://ww.nchla.org

A setback to pro-lifers who defend the rights of the unborn and promote respect for the human life, USA opens its door to more programs for population control (family planning) and termination of pregnancy (abortion) abroad at the expense of American tax payers. This was the same liberal policy Pres. Bill Clinton followed when he came to the White House in 1993. In support of the unborn, it was reversed by Pres. George Bush when he assumed the presidency in 2001. Obama’s reinstitution of Clinton’s policy in 2009 is a step towards the enactment of the greater pro-abortion legislation, the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA) which will be decided in congress. This is part of the social engineering critics have predicted with the new administration.

Vatican Protests Obama’s decision

The Vatican expressed objection to Obama’s pro-abortion stance and support of the culture of death. The same objection is expected when the new administration announces its unbridled pursuit for stem cell research—using human embryos which is against Catholic doctrine.

Monsignor Rino Fisichella, who heads the Vatican’s Pontifical Academy for Life, asked Obama to listen to all voices in America without “the arrogance of those who, being in power, believe they can decide of life and death.”—GMANews (01/24/05) (Photo Credit: Stanley Lansano/ AngkorWatDemon PD) =0=

Depiction of Demon Performing Abortion, Wall of Angkor Wat, Cambodia

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Fecund birth and elderly parturition

The arrival of a baby is one of the happiest moments of a family. It is even happier for the Duggar family in Arkansas that welcomes Jordyn-Grace Makiya, a 7 pound, 3 ounces baby girl, the 18th member of the brood. Jim Bob Duggar and wife Michele who are devoted to parenting have now 10 sons and eight daughters. “The ultimate gift from God,” said the ecstatic father whose baby was born by caesarean section (CS) on Thursday, December 18, 2008 at Mercy Medical Center in Rogers, AK.

In India, a similarly happy couple celebrates the birth of their healthy daughter after a pregnancy that was made possible by fertility treatment. At 70 years old, two decades beyond the usual age of menopause, Rajo Devi delivered by CS at the National Fertility Center in Hisar, India, Monday, Dec. 8, 2008. She and husband Bala Ram, 72, had been trying to have a baby for about ten years in a community which bears stigma on childless couples.

Because of modern technology, changing cultural norms, and individual preferences, more couples like the Duggars and the Rams are able to decide on unusual choices of family size and age of childbearing. It is unclear what these choices will bring to their children of the future. (Photo Credit: AP/ Beth Hall; AP /Devendra Uppal) =0=

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Rising executions in Saudi Arabia, RP’s ritzy rich & Filipinos rooting for artificial contraception

72

This is the number of government-sanctioned gruesome executions in Saudi Arabia this year according to the count of Associated Press. The Amnesty International (AI,) a human rights watch group however says in 2008, there have been 158 executions, a four-fold increase from last year’s count. Amnesty International (AI) decries the outrageous killings especially among foreigners including those who are underaged. In spite of Pres. Gloria M. Arroyo’s plea to spare OFW Venancio Ladion, he was beheaded this week on charges of murder.

US $3.1 billion

The estimated net worth of Henry Sy, the Philippines’ most rich man according to Forbes Asia 2008. Business wizard Lucio Tan comes second with a net worth of US $1.5billion.

P48.10

Amid fears of worldwide economic recession, the Philippine peso tumbled to a new low of P48.10/dollar and the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) index fell by 5.18%. Eddie Gobing of the Lucky Securities Inc feels “the worst is not over” for the peso’s downward trend. This comes on the wake of about $521.7 million in investment outflow leaving the country in the first 9 months of this year. The highest net outflow was in September coincident to the economic meltdown in Wall Street.

50,000 OFWs

The Filipino workers who could prematurely return home from jobs abroad in case a US recession occurs and affects the economic stability of other countries.

70%

From the Social Weather Stations’ (SWS) survey on September 24 to 27, 2008, 7 of 10 Filipinos (70%) support a law that will allow the government to dispense condoms, IUD’s, and contraceptive pills to people who request for them. Contrary to the Roman Catholic Church’s teaching which advocates for natural family planning method, the public now shows growing support for artificial contraception.

This reflects a shift in favor of the House Bill 5043 (Rep. Edcel Lagman’s Reproductive Health Bill) to institute artificial family planning methods in the country—a long-drawn contentious issue between traditional religious belief and government policy to control population. (Photo Credits: Citizensugar; MsWong-scribbles.blogspot.com)=0=

Excommunication, discipline in the marital bed & the controversies of contraception

The wagons of confrontation have circled many times between the opposing camps of the Roman Catholic Church (RCC) and the supporters of the Reproductive Health Bill (RHB.) The former supports natural family planning while the latter aims to make artificial contraception available to the poor. Arguments roil between the two sides with little hint of resolution.

The Catholic Bishop Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) which identifies itself as protector of the unborn (pro-life) and defender of morals is pushing for sex education, restraint in the marital bed, and responsible parenthood. The Church teaches that proper distribution of wealth, not abortion and artificial birth control, is the answer to over-population and poverty.

Opposing the Church’s doctrine seems to diminish RCC’s influence, but proponents of the RHB face moral censure. They run the risk of being refused holy wafer and sacred wine during masses. They are under threat of excommunication by the Church.

For political expediency and fear of retribution in the afterlife, the Catholic majority and its leaders struggle to abide with the Church teachings. In the name of faith and fidelity, many pander on CBCP’s advices which strongly oppose artificial contraception (pills, intraunterine devices (IUDs), bilateral tubal ligation (BTLs), vasectomies, spermicides, morning after pills, barrier methods such as condoms etc.)

On the other hand, defenders of RHB want to give women the right to decide. Backed by population advisers of other countries, the United Nations (UN,) Asian Development Bank (ADB,) and the World Health Organization (WHO,) they believe the bill is a practical solution to reduce the high incidence of maternal and infant mortality, a way of curbing population explosion. They question the correctness and infallibility of RCC’s teachings on birth control, bringing back the old debates on morals and the separation of the church and the state.

RHB supporters assert artificial contraception is a basic human right. They believe lack of access to contraceptives leads to unwanted pregnancies and drives poor women to seek illegal and unsafe abortions which run up to about 500,000 a year, 79,000 of which are hospitalized for complications and about 800 die.

The CBCP counters by saying the pro-choice supporters’ position isn’t morally sound. Catholic bishops reject the legislative measure as anti-family and anti-life. Airing their position, Msgr. Oscar Cruz, Archbishop of Ligayen-Dagupan asserts artificial contraception is a pathway towards “killing the unborn” and are “instruments that favor abortion.” Brian Clowes, research manager for Human Life International agrees, saying that RHB had traces of “influence” from England and the United States, linking the issue with foreign intervention.

Yet Filipinos expect the government to uphold their rights independently from the Church. RHB proponents like Reps. Edcel Lagman (Albay,), Mark Leandro Mendoza (Batangas,) Janette Garin (Iloilo,) and mayors Sherwin Gatchalian (Valenzuela) and Tomas Osmena (Cebu) want the RCC to reconsider its Vatican-backed anti-contraceptive stance. Because the Church is unlikely to change its position, they go ahead working for the bill’s passage which they believe will benefit the country.

Pia Cayetano, chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and Demographics, said she welcomes the views of all sectors on the controversial issue, but she can’t give weight on views solely from one religious doctrine. Social Welfare Secretary Dr. Esperanza Cabral who supports artificial contraception debates the issue with Environmental Sec. Lito Atienza, instrumental in foiling birth control from the services offered by the government.

Too many babies, worsening poverty, and pervasive hunger are real problems that can’t be ignored. Sooner or later, Filipinos have to make a choice on an issue whose decision is long overdue. The bill proposes the state to launch a nationwide information campaign on all methods of family planning and then have the people decide which method to use. The Church calls for discipline in marital bed, responsible parenthood, and natural family planning. Many Catholics however dodge the controversy by quietly deciding for themselves. Not all of them however follow the teachings of the Church. =0=

The essence of being a nurse, a P10 million bribe, an OFW’s complaint against RP officials in Saudi Arabia, & Dolphy’s secret of being young

“Palagay ko, it’s my job. Kapag nasa linya ng comedy, wala akong iniisip kung hindi katatawanan at puro comedy ginagawa ko. Making people laugh is fun talaga. It’s better sa buhay.”
—Dolphy remarks on his secret of being young at age 80.

“Considering our depressed condition and lowered people’s morale, it is clear that uncoordinated, quickie and populist projects will not work and be just a waste of time, resources and goodwill,”
—Former Pres. Fidel Ramos on the dismal policies of Pres. Gloria M. Arroyo

“Should we worry? There will be pain but maybe worrying too much is too much. We will survive this eventually.”
—Dr. Cayetano Paderanga Jr., a professor at the UP School of Economics on the deteriorating economy and lack of morale of the people.

“More than three million children between the ages of 6 and 15 are now out of school. What is her administration going to do about it? Judging from her SONA — nothing, other than hand out a few scholarships,’’
—ACT-UP Chairman Antonio Tinio asks the government on what to do with children who can’t afford to go to school.

“My advantage of being half-Filipino, half-German is having an exotic beauty which I think is not common with other people. But for me, it’s my multi-cultural values which set me apart because these make me a better and stronger person.”
—Princess Uhrig, a mixed-race candidate in the Miss Limburg-Belgium beauty pageant to be held in September.

“Promoting an NFP-only policy goes against our commitment to the Millennium Development Goals, which targets increased access to reproductive health services and contraceptive prevalence rate — covering both modern natural and artificial methods — to 60 percent by 2010 and 80 percent by 2015,”
—Ramon San Pascual, director of the Phil. Legislator’s Population and Development Foundation Committee, airing objection to the Roman Catholic Church stand against artificial contraception.

“So, they were talking of a win-win situation, which meant offering P10 million for me to give way to Justice Reyes. I politely declined that offer and told the emissary that it was not only a matter of principle but that it will [also] affect the integrity of the court. Before he left, he told me that they were still hoping that I could see it their way,”
— Court of Appeals Justice Jose Sabio bares a scandalous bribery offer he got from someone whom he believes to be an emissary of Meralco.

“Palitan n’yo na lahat ng nakaupo mula sa ibaba hanggang sa itaas. Imbes na sila ang makatulong sa amin, sila pa nagpapahirap sa amin”
—OFW Armando Navarro who said while calling for the replacement of Philippine Consular officials in Saudi Arabia.

“I regret what I did. I’m ready to face any punishment because he is my son,”
—says a desperate man of Legazpi City who stabbed his three month old baby for he can’t care for him any longer.

“When you decide to become a nurse, you have to have passion to serve and to care. The essence of nursing is to care for the people,”
—Nurse Board topnotcher Aira Therese S.Javier said. She believes going abroad must not be the primary motivation of her colleagues in the profession. =0=