ON THIS HOUR: 2011

The president of the Philippines Noynoy Aquino says he is ready to face excommunication from the Roman Catholic Church for advocating free access to condoms. Boxing champion Manny Pacquaio says he is the best example of why birth control should never be allowed. It's about time that President Aquino should wake up and finally stand-up (against church). The President or the Filipino people shouldn't be kowtowing to the Church. It's about time he needs to put the team on his back. The country is his first priority, to take care of the Filipino people. This is a big step now that he's accepting that condom use has a huge impact on disease control, family planning and women's rights. All developing countries like the Philippines should take a stronger stance on issues such as this.

The Reproductive Health Bill probably has not been seen and digested by lots of Filipinos but this is probably one of the most important pieces of legislature in the country's history. Birth control has proven to be the most effective way ever of getting people and communities out of poverty (at least), and knowing we are living in an extremely poor country, certainly this is one of the best solution.

We're dealing with an exploding population, higher population means a bigger burden on resources. We are getting poorer. Now the question is, are the church poor too?

Time for a responsible government that doesn't let its people suffer and starve just so that a popular religion can have its way in forcing their antiquated notions (and consequences thereof) on everyone else.

I hate to say this, but sometimes the church acts like a manipulator machine! The Church has way too much influence in the Philippines especially the government. Finally someone is trying to take it down.

Here's the official translated quote from http://www.gov.ph/ :

"I am aware there are those who oppose this. But it is my duty as our country’s leader to reach out to all sectors, to talk to them and calmly discuss the issue at hand—even if there are those who have said that I should be excommunicated. We must listen even to those who, as some point out, come close-minded to the discussion. Ultimately, I need to make a stand. I need to follow my conscience, and I need to do what is right."