"Do not judge a candidate on a bill that is not even there.’’

Thus, said Liberal Party (LP) senatorial candidate Sonia Roco even as she deplored some sectors for using the Reproductive Health (RH) bill as a ground for assessing a candidate’s capability to serve the country after the May elections.

“The RH bill is yet to be made into law. Until such is accomplished, we should relax and not get into ear-splitting definition of the bill,’’ Roco said in an interview after joining some women’s organizations in the launching of the television commercial “Palibhasa Babae, Bida Ka!’’ the other day.

Rural women who belonged to the Pambansang Koalisyon ng mga Kababaihan sa Kanayunan (PKKK) had urged women senatoriables to prioritize the bill because it provides list of options that will enable women to be visible in society.

Roco did not give categorical statement but assured to prioritize anything for Filipino women.
She clarified, however, that she is yet to support RH bill 5043 which provides, among others, the use of modern family planning methods such as pill, condom and vasectomy.

The Catholic Church opposes the passage of the RH bill 5043, stressing there are provisions in the bill that “run counter to the moral beliefs of some.’’

Some Church leaders had also warned voters against choosing candidates who would support the bill.

While proponents of the bill said that natural family planning is least effective in addressing unwanted pregnancies, the Church maintained that the use of modern methods induces abortion which is against the law of God and the Constitution.

If she were to name the bill, Roco said it would have been “responsible parenthood’’ and not “reproductive health.’’

“When I say responsible parenthood, couples are able to agree first on the number of family they want, respect life from the time it is biologically put together and be responsible enough in raising their children, ensuring their health and education,’’ said Roco.

LP’s standard bearer, Sen. Noynoy Aquino, had also used the term in his earlier statement.

Roco said she is not aware of the salient provisions in the bill but assured to go through it so she can come out with her position on the matter.