Bishops, lawmakers, advocates to face-off in 'RH Bill: The Grand Debate'

Pitting lawmakers versus lawmakers, women versus women and the church versus the church, "RH Bill: The Grand Debate" finally airs this Sunday, May 22, on GMA News TV Channel 11. GMA News TV brings together debaters from each camp to discuss the impact of the Reproductive Health Bill on the country's economy, on the morality of Filipinos and on the health of women. Compelling arguments for both sides are given equal airtime in this enlightening and often surprising two-hour special.

---

Watch a preview of the debate here:

---

Rep. Janette Garin, one of the primary authors of the proposed bill is pitted against Rep. Ma. Milagros Magsaysay on the issue of the RH Bill's effect on poverty. Novaliches Bishop Emeritus Teodoro Bacani, Jr. and Bishop Efraim Tendero, National Director of the Philippine Council for Evangelical Churches debate on the issue of morality. Celebrity mom and RH Bill advocate Pia Magalona faces off against University of the Philippines Prof. Aliza Racelis on women's issues in relation to the bill. A panel of interrogators subject the debaters to intense grilling. Outspoken RH Bill activist Carlos Celdran, former Akbayan Rep. Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel, and UP Prof. Dr. Sylvia Claudio make up the pro-RH panel while the anti-RH panel members are Kalookan Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez Jr. University of Asia and the Pacific College of Arts and Science Dean Antonio Torralba, and Dr. Deane Campo-Cruz. Congressman Manny Pacquiao makes a surprise appearance during the debate. RH Bill: The Grand Debate gives viewers the chance to quietly listen to both sides and appreciate their arguments. The program aims to shed light on this divisive issue, instead of simply generating more heat. Hosted and moderated by Mel Tiangco, together with Pia Arcangel and RJ Ledesma, RH Bill: The Grand Debate airs this Sunday from 8:45 - 10:45 pm, only on GMA News TV.