Aljazeera features RH debates in the Philippines — again

Less than 2 years ago, Aljazeera did a feature on the RH debates in the Philippines:

In their most recent episode, Aljazeera’s 101 East featured the same topic:

The second video features more of the same from the anti-choicers, and insightful interviews and arguments from the pro-RH side. Yet although I’m happy that the RH Bill is getting more coverage, I’m disappointed that Aljazeera’s first report — let alone the second — was even necessary. The RH Bill has been delayed for 16 years, and whatever new details new reports may bring, the fact remains that it still has not passed.

But I believe this time it’s different. In the first report, Aljazeera said that “debate over the controversial bill is now threatening to turn into a major battle between church and state.” The battle has already begun. In the second report, Aljazeera asks the right question: Is the Catholic Church affecting the nation’s health?

RH advocates — at least those that I’m working with — answer “yes.” We know that the Catholic Church hierarchy, the CBCP, is the biggest hindrance in the passage of the RH Bill. And now more than ever we’re willing to do something about it.

As I told Aljazeera (in the second video), “the tide has shifted. The Church is becoming very defensive. And it’s a sign that true separation of church and state is at hand.”

10 comments

  1. Ever wonder why AlJazeera wants the pre-dominantly Catholic Philippines to support the RH Bill & for the West to continue letting their populations decline, while there is no talk about RH legislation in the Arab & North African peninsulas & Islamic states? Welcome to the Islamic sun rising & thank you for helping them.

  2. Thanks for posting this, Red. (I follow FF on twitter and RSS feed, and this is my first comment.)

    Journalism is the democratic and secular mechanism for exerting political pressure– the more coverage this issue gets, the better. Aljazeera’s 101 East's segment is a well-made piece of good journalism. Are there efforts to invite more coverage by the international media? How can we– freethinking citizens– help?

    I'm curious, how is the RP media handling this issue? Newspapers, radio, and– oh my– TV? Are any of them (capable of) handling this issue even-handedly? Can you please post (or point me to) some links?

    I agree with you that the tide has shifted for the RH bill– and in no small part due to the efforts of the Filipino Freethinkers. (Keep it up!). Red, do you think that this is a sign of a deeper shift in the public's perception of the Church, and its role in RP society? I am aware that this particular fight is far from over, but I am concerned with– and excited by– the big picture: what next?

    — Reina a.k.a. Pinay Observer (@pinayobserver) http://pinayobserver.wordpress.com

    • Hi Reina,

      What's changing is the way people are more willing to openly criticize religious authorities. Whether we can finally be free from the CBCP's influence hinges on how vocal their critics are. If our collective voice becomes loud enough, our politicians will finally listen and realize that (1) there is no Catholic bloc vote, and (2) it will actually be better for their careers if they listen to the 70-80% of Filipinos who are for the RH bill rather than the 7% who are vocal against it. Mobilizing the silent majority is key.

      On the issue of RP media, I think it's working in the CBCP's favor. For the sake of objectivity, most mainstream journalists put archaic opinions and faulty arguments on the same level as scientific evidence and logical arguments. Still, I sense that there has been some improvement in terms of what journalists are willing to publish, especially some columnists.

      Our country is not unique in the way society is becoming more secular. With all the Church hierarchy has done wrong here in the Philippines and around the world, I believe that more and more people will choose to practice their faith without being affiliated with any organized religion. The challenge is getting them to say so. When that happens, the CBCP will no longer be able to bully Congressmen by the outdated and unrepresentative statistic that 80% of Filipinos are Catholic.

      Thanks for your support!

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