CBCP not involved with anti-RH petition at Supreme Court — official

The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines said that it is not involved with a petition filed before the Supreme Court seeking to stop the implementation of the newly signed Republic Act 10354 or the Reproductive Health (RH) law, despite its being filed by a relative of its legal counsel. “Any person can file a petition. They have filed it as a family, and it is their right to do so. Being a family member of a CBCP office personnel is purely incidental,” said CBCP – Episcopal Commission on Family and Life executive secretary Fr. Melvin Castro. The petition was filed by lawyer James Imbong and his wife Lovely-Ann, son and daughter-in-law of CBCP legal counsel Jo Aurea Imbong. Castro, however, added that the CBCP supports moves against the measure. “We are glad that the ordinary Catholic faithful are taking the initiative to further the discussion on the RH bill. Its enactment into law would not end our opposition to it,” he said. The CBCP has been a vocal opponent of the RH bill as it promotes the use of artificial contraceptives as a method of family planning. — BM, GMA News