Manny Pacquiao airs position on controversial Reproductive Health Bill

Pound-for-pound boxing king Manny Pacquiao made a guest appearance during the taping of the much awaited RH Bill: The Grand Debate today, May 17.

Fresh from his win over Shane Mosely last May 7, the boxer now hangs up his gloves and focuses on an important issue the Philippines faces: the Reproductive Health Bill or RH Bill.

Asked for his stand on the RH Bill, the Sarangani representative expressed his aversion to it by stating that the bill will not solve the country's problems on poverty.

"Sa tingin ko, 'yong problema is 'yong kurapsyon," he told members of the press after the show's taping.

"Ang kailangan siguro bago 'yan matupad is magkaisa tayong lahat para sugpuin ang kurapsyon at matulungan natin 'iyong kababayan nating mahihirap."

The fighter, an avowed Catholic, added, "Labag sa kautusan ng Panginoon 'yang RH Bill.

"Sa ngayon pa lang, wala pa iyong RH Bill, gumagamit na iyong ibang tao ng condom o pills buwan buwan...

"Hindi ko nakikitang solusyon 'yang RH Bill. Ang sagot dito, i-educate 'yong mga tao."

The Pac-Man concluded with this message: "Huwag nating kalimutan ang Panginoon.

"Kung hindi dahil sa Panginoon, e wala tayong mga tao.

"Hindi tayo dadami mga tao sa buong mundo.

"Sana piliin natin ang mga kautusan ng Panginoon kaysa sa kautusan ng tao."

THE GRAND DEBATE. House Bill No. 4244, better known as the Reproductive Health Bill, is a Philippine bill that aims to give widespread access to methods and information on birth control and maternal care.

The Bill has divided people into very partisan and very contradictory views, thus generating a never-ending series of disputes.

Now, GMA-7 is gathering all these arguments on morality, health, and poverty by getting together known representatives of the pro- and the anti-RH Bill.

Supporters of the Bill will include Bishop Efraim Tendero, Pia Arroyo-Magalona, and Rep. Janet Garin.

Those against the Bill will include Bishop Ted Bacani, Prof. Aliza Racelis, and Rep. Mitos Magsaysay.

A panel of interrogators for each side is expected to provide more insight and depth to the discussions.

These panelists include Carlos Celdran, Dean Antonio Torralba, Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel, and Bishop Deogracias Iniguez.

The RH Bill: The Grand Debate aims to shed light on the matter and to educate the public on the pros and cons of the Bill.

The episode airs this Sunday, May 22, 2011, from 8:45 p.m. to 10:45 p.m. on GMA News TV.