An official of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines has apologized over name-calling incidents during debates on the Reproductive Health Bill.
Fr. Melvin Castro’s apology came after Akbayan spokesperson Risa Hontiveros criticized RH Bill opponents for resorting to labeling proponents.
Last month, Baguio Cathedral’s Fr. Jose Ilano criticized Hontiveros for her stand on the measure.
“Natawag na kaming imoral, natawag na kaming anti-life, natawag na nga kaming demonyo o sa kampon ni satanas. Napaka-uncharitable mag-thumbs up sa ganyang mga insulto,” Hontiveros said during Sunday’s “Harapan” debate on the RH bill.

In response, Castro said: “Sa kasasagsagan ng mga usapang ito, hindi maiiwasang magpangalanan tayo ng kung anu-ano. Humihingi kami ng tawad kung ganoon. Ngunit sa paghingi natin ng tawad sa mga labelling, hindi natin mababaluktot ang tama.”
The Catholic Church has opposed the RH Bill for promoting modern family planning methods, which it considers as abortifacient.
The Church has declared May 9 a National Day of Prayer and urged the faithful to pray that lawmakers will reject the bill.