MANILA, Dec. 17, 2012 ?They may not be even aware of it, but the 104 legislators who voted against the House Bill 4244 or the RH Bill last December 12 are witnesses in this Year of Faith, according to a bishop.
In an interview, Legazpi Bishop Joel Baylon said, “They voted according to the dictate of their faith; we can verily recognise them as witnesses in this Year of Faith.”
He added, “Amidst the pressures and the offers, the possible benefits in saying yes to the RH Bill, they voted according to their conscience and it is a statement on behalf of their faith.”
Baylon, who is also the bishop-chairman of the CBCP – Episcopal Commission on Youth, explained that while a good number of the congressmen cited medical findings, demographics and research to back their “no” vote, he believes their convictions were still anchored on faith and belief in the sanctity of life.
Some, like Saranggani Rep. Manny Pacquiao drew on personal experience to explain their vote.
Pacquiao related how his crushing knock-out defeat to Juan Manuel Marquez two days before the vote strengthened his opposition to HB 4244.
“Ang nangyari sa Vegas ay lalong nagpaigting sa akin paniniwala na sagrado ang buhay (What happened in Vegas intensified even more my belief that life is sacred),” he explained during the 3 minutes allotted to each solon to explain his or her vote.
It may be remembered that the Holy Father declared a Year of Faith from 11 October 2012 to 24 November 2013.
According to Pope Benedict XVI’s apostolic letter “Porta Fidei”, the Year of Faith is a time for “authentic and renewed conversion to the Lord.” [Nirva’ana Ella Delacruz]
