Rise in teen pregnancies rattles Philippines

[lastlid]

As the Romans would say, "Cui bono?"

In whose interest are these blocks to the RH Bill? Who benefits from a rise in teenage pregnancy, a rise in single motherhood, a rise in family breakdown and an exploding population?

A cynical answer would be "foreign employers of housemaids".

I could be more cynical and add that I cannot see that the present situation benefits anyone in the Philippines, other than owners of recruitment agencies and, more shamefully, owners of KTV/disco joints, who of course depend on a steady supply of "fallen" young women with a child to support.

To the advantage of getting the RH Bill through. My dearest assures me that if Pacquiao's support against the bill was removed then it would stand a better chance of going through.....

[CBM]

To the advantage of getting the RH Bill through. My dearest assures me that if Pacquiao's support against the bill was removed then it would stand a better chance of going through.....

Makes very good sense, alas. It's too easy for an outfit like the Church to "get to" a public figure like Pacquiao, who must court popularity because he is, at bottom, an entertainer, like any other professional sportsman.

Conversely, who amongst the politicians who have urged the need for common sense in contraception and sex education has flourished?

I can go back as far as Juan Flavier, Minister of Health under FV Ramos, being called "An agent of Satan" by Cardinal Sin for distributing condoms.

[lastlid]

Makes very good sense, alas. It's too easy for an outfit like the Church to "get to" a public figure like Pacquiao, who must court popularity because he is, at bottom, an entertainer, like any other professional sportsman.

Conversely, who amongst the politicians who have urged the need for common sense in contraception and sex education has flourished?

I can go back as far as Juan Flavier, Minister of Health under FV Ramos, being called "An agent of Satan" by Cardinal Sin for distributing condoms.

Miriam Defensor Santiago?

[CBM]

Miriam Defensor Santiago?

OK, I give you Miriam Defensor Santiago, at the moment (she may change her mind next week) but she has been "all over the place" on so many issues that frankly her support for the RH bill means little.

[lastlid]

OK, I give you Miriam Defensor Santiago, at the moment (she may change her mind next week) but she has been "all over the place" on so many issues that frankly her support for the RH bill means little.

The Remullas?

[CBM]

The Remullas?

OK. But I don't recall any Remulla holding Cabinet office (I stand to be corrected, here)

[lastlid]

OK. But I don't recall any Remulla holding Cabinet office (I stand to be corrected, here)

Enrique Ona?