12/15/2005

Life, Family and Liberty Under Attack: How Can This Happen in a Free Society?
Philippines Legislature Attempting to Impose Two Children-Only Policy in World's Most Catholic Country "This Philippine version of "coercive sterilization" is really just 'China-light.' This is not a policy growing from Filipino values, it is social engineering from the outside being imposed on the Philippine people." – Eileen Macapanas Cosby

WASHINGTON, Dec. 15 /Christian Wire Service/ -- The world's most Catholic country is on the verge of becoming a limited society – held captive by governmental restrictions (and impositions) regarding healthcare, education and acts of conscience.

On Monday, a bill was introduced in the Philippine legislature which, if passed, will impose a two-child limit on families. Urgent: A final vote is anticipated soon after the New Year.

Eileen Macapanas Cosby, Executive Director of the Filipino Family Fund, is outraged. "This is social engineering at its worst. The nearly 3 million Filipino Americans with aunts, uncles, cousins and friends in the Philippines have a stake in this radical legislation. If passed, it would have dreadful consequences on the country, including imprisoning our family and friends for their beliefs. The legislation is coercive, violates religious liberty, and is completely contrary to Filipino values."

Couched in clever language, HB 3773 is called "The Responsible Parenting and Population Control Act of 2005". Elements of the bill include preference in education for two child families, free access to abortifacients, mandatory sex education for children as young as 10 years old and imprisonment penalties for health care providers who refuse to perform or provide sterilization services.

The effects of this legislation will be devastating to the cultural and religious traditions of the country. The Philippine population is 87% Catholic and 5% Muslim. Dr. Brian Scharneccia, President of the International Solidarity and Human Rights Institute, ISHRI, shares Mrs. Cosby's concern. "H.B. 3773 does not reflect the indigenous cultural and religious values of the Catholic and Muslim population of the Philippines. Rather, it promotes the special interests of developed nations to maintain the Philippines. This is a direct attack on genuine human rights and the solidarity that must be maintained amongst civilized nations."

The Filipino Family Fund (www.FilipinoFamilyFund.org) is mobilizing a grass-roots effort of pro-life leaders in the U.S. and the Philippines to build opposition to the social engineering bill. The Fund is sponsoring an on-line petition drive, leadership development programs, youth educational programs and democracy initiatives in the Philippines from contributions made by Americans who care.