Disgruntled Catholic lay groups in the Philippines have launched a movement that will campaign in elections against politicians supporting the controversial Reproductive Health (RH) bill, reports Ucanews.
"There will be a Catholic vote in 2013. We will deliver it through our membership and from among our fellow parishioners," said Dr Ricardo Boncan, a group spokesman.
Anna Cosio, another movement spokesperson, said the group will conduct voter education programs and spell out criteria for electing national and local officials, such as having "high Christian moral standards, sound judgment, integrity, honor, dignity and independence."
Organisers said the new movement, Catholic Vote Philippines, was prompted by the government’s "apparent resolve to pass ‘anti-family’ laws in Congress, the most prominent of which is the RH bill."
The House of Representatives yesterday ignored Church protests and passed the bill that will allow artificial contraception as a family planning method if it becomes law.
The country’s upper house, the Senate, is due to vote on the bill next week.
FULL STORY Philippines lay groups launch movement against reproductive health bill (Ucanews)
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