Bro. Mike’s El Shaddai won’t vote for pro-family planning bets

MANILA, Philippines - El Shaddai leader Bro. Mike Velarde on Wednesday warned that his Catholic charismatic group would not vote for politicians supporting the reproductive health (RH) bill pending in the House of Representatives. Velarde told GMA News that he and his group are backing the Catholic Church's stand against artificial family planning program. “Ito ay parang sandwich na puno ng lason…Christian act nga yung tumulong sa dun na nag-abortion. But what are you trying to say? Pwede ka naman mag-abortion, tutulungan naman kayo namin - that is an indirect abortion, it’s worse," Velarde said. As the spiritual leader of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Velarde urged the Chief Executive to ask her allies in the House to kill the RH bill. “The President must exercise her persuasive power and tell them to forget it (RH bill) and instead focus on legislations that would develop our resources," Velarde said. Velarde warned that in 2010 they would campaign against candidates who would defy the Church. Velarde also found an ally in Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante, leader of conservative protestant groups, who said that he would mobilize 1.8 million members to oppose the RH bill. “This (RH bill) will open the Pandora’s Box to all kinds of immoral bills. There is no principle in supporting this bill," Abante said. Dagupan Archbishop Cruz had insisted that the government should not promote all kinds of contraceptives, but Speaker Prospero Nograles appealed to critics not to prejudge proponents of the bill. He said he formed a panel that would seek a dialogue with Church leaders and pro-life leaders on the matter. “When you lobby, you lobby politely and try to convince others with reason. Name-calling and threatening will not work," Nograles said. - GMANews.TV