ONE THOUSAND three hundred and eighteen students, faculty and alumni of the Ateneo have signed a declaration of support for the passage of House Bill 4244, more popularly referred to as the Reproductive Health (RH) Bill. The declaration of support was released earlier today, August 21.

As of today, the declaration of support has gathered a total of 1,439 signatures that include those of individuals from Ateneo de Naga University, Ateneo de Davao University, Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan and Ateneo de Zamboanga University. The party that spearheaded efforts to craft the declaration and collect the signatures is the group Ateneans for RH.

A disclaimer in the document reads in part, “[We] do not represent the whole Ateneo student body and our respective university administrations. We are supporting the RH Bill in our own individual capacities.”

The RH Bill provides for the education of people regarding various birth control methods, maternal care and funding for hospital facilities.

Last August 13, a declaration of support for the measure signed by faculty members of the Ateneo de Manila was also released. To date, 192 have signed it.

In response, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has ordered an investigation of the faculty members who signed the said document. In an interview with the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Bishop Leandro Medroso stated that if the faculty members are “found guilty of teaching students concepts contrary to Church teachings, [they] could be fired.”

Students leaders’ thoughts

Sanggunian President Gio Alejo said, “I think that the country is in need of a Reproductive Health Bill given the fact that many Filipino couples have not had the chance to be educated properly in planning a family that they would be capable of raising well, where all the members can have a chance to have a good quality of life.”

“A lot of Filipino mothers also die daily due to childbirth complications, something which I believe the RH Bill can greatly reduce,” he continued.

Alejo admitted that there are vague points in the bill, but said that these are the reason for the amendments being done now.

Meanwhile, Alliance of Student Leaders Chairperson Moses Albiento said that the bill also ensures the health of mothers and couples who suffer because of the lack of access to health services and sexual health education.

He further said, “I personally see the RH Bill as a means to assert people’s rights to be provided by the State rights to reproductive health.”

“I do not see the bill as an issue of faith or religion,” he added.

Alejo and Albiento both signed the declaration of support.

Other students’ opinions

For Ray Pine, a management engineering senior, his signing of the declaration stemmed from his belief in the value of choice.

“A democracy doesn’t seek an absolute best, but it rather empowers its citizens to make choices that will make them closer to that relative good.”

Vinno Lee, an economics major, said that that the RH Bill will benefit the country.

“I find it constitutionally sound and necessary given the plight of the poor today. To deny the need for it… is to be foolish and out of sync with the realities of today.”

Lee also noted that the RH Bill still needs to be revised and recognized that its proper implementation is another matter to consider.

He signed the declaration to show solidarity with the professors “who are under fire simply because they used their individual capacities make an informed choice.”

“I didn’t want to stand idly by while the CBCP and certain individuals carried out ‘academic tyranny.’”

Management economics major Jerald Sze said that the lack of education of impoverished families leads to “unhealthy and unwanted pregnancy problems.”

Sze said that the RH Bill will pave the way for “economic and social development, and eventually uphold the dignity of every human person.”

Ateneo’s official statement

University President Fr. Jett Villarin also released a memo today in light of the recent pronouncements and exchanges between the CBCP and the Ateneo community.

According to Villarin, the University does not support the passage of the RH Bill, at least in its “present form,” as it “contains provisions that could be construed to threaten constitutional rights as well as to weaken commonly shared human and spiritual values.” Villarin said that the Ateneo’s stand remains to be one with the Church’s.

However, Villarin added, “I appreciate their [the 192 faculty who signed the bill] social compassion and intellectual efforts, and urge them to continue in their discernment of the common good.”

“I ask all those who are engaged in the Christian formation of our students to ensure that the Catholic position on this matter continues to be taught in our classes, as we have always done.”

Updated 9:58 PM, August 21, 2012.