Robredo ‘conflicted’ over legalizing abortion in rape cases

Vice President Leni Robredo on Wednesday admitted that she is conflicted on whether aborting pregnancy resulting from rape should be legalized.

"I will be very honest with you, Boy. This is a topic that I'm very conflicted about because of the data that you have mentioned. I was a member of an NGO that really pushed the decriminalization of abortion to avoid unsafe ones, but the reason I'm so conflicted about it is because my faith teaches me na bawal talaga yung magpatay," Robredo said in an interview with TV host Boy Abunda.

"The only thing allowed — legal abortion — is if the mother's life is endangered. If the mother's life is in danger they allow it in very rare instances, I think that should continue," Robredo added.

Robredo, however, said that she is open to discussions on decriminalizing abortion.

"Having said that, ako, kontra ako sa abortion, pero bukas akong pag-usapan yung decriminalization ng abortion. I would like to listen to more people about it," she said.

"I've listened to so much already, pero mahirap yung balancing act, eh, kasi pag nakita natin yung ipinaglalaban ng mga sumusulong ng decriminalization ng abortion, meron naman silang dahilan (the balancing act is really difficult, because the arguments for decriminalizing abortion are valid)," Robredo, a devout Catholic, pointed out.

As it is, Robredo said that unsafe abortions are rampant because the act
is illegal.

"Since it is illegal, it is done underground and it is unsafe. Many resort to practices that are not medically safe," she said.

"So I'm open to discussing decriminalizing abortion, but if you ask me now if I'm for or against it, I am against abortion," Robredo added.—LDF, GMA News