Philippine News Digest 8
15 November - 27 November 2001
Contents:
1. Group issues guide on rape prevention, handling cases
2. Anti-AIDS programs lead youth into early sex
3. Groups oppose divorce bills
4. P700, 000 worth of bombs a day
5. Solon bats for clear policy on birth control
The
Women’s Legal Bureau Inc. (WLB) presented to the public recently a manual
titled “ Addressing Rape in the Legal System” that seeks to stop or prevent
the sexual assault of women and children. The WLB wanted to effect changes in
the legal system’s doctrines and processes, and to make uniform the system’s
response to rape cases. It also exposes a list of myths that pervades
Filipino’s current views on rape, and corrects these misconceptions to come up
with a scientific, though sensitive, understanding of rape. Source:
PDI Visayas Bureau, 27 November 2001
Anti-AIDS programs
lead youth into early sex?
Sex education and the promotion of artificial contraceptives in the
prevention of HIV and AIDS have only enticed children into sex at an early age
because of increased sexual interest and desire, said Masumi Okamoto, a Japanese
and author of Family Love and AIDS during the launching of Philippine
AIDS Prevention Foundation November 24. Okamoto said that the use of artificial
contraception has only exacerbated the AIDS problem because it has introduced
free sex. To stress his point,
Okamoto said that in the capital of Tanzania, 60% of high school students are
infected with AIDS. In addition, the United Nations AIDS Program said five
people in the age group 10 and 24 are infected with HIV every minute while three
million people died of AIDS-related diseases last year. In contrary, Arthur
Jaucian- UNAIDS country adviser in the Philippines said that sex education and
the promotion of contraceptives have helped in the prevention of the disease.
Jaucian said that in Thailand the incidence of HIV/AIDS has gone down since bars
and brothels have registered a 100% condom use. Source: Cher
Jimenez, Today, 26 November 2001.
Groups oppose divorce
bills
The
Alliance for the Family Foundation Phils. Inc (ALFI) has asked the Senate,
Congress and President Arroyo to trash a number of bills that seek to legalize
divorce and to overhaul the government’s population education program. Manny
Arejola of ALFI said they are closely watching developments on Senate Bill 782
and House Bill 878 sponsored by Sen. Rodolfo Biazon and Rep. Bella Angara-Castillo,
respectively. Both bills seek to amend the Family Code to allow for separation
and remarriage. Another measure, House Bill 2672 sponsored by Belma Cabilao,
proposes the concept of absolute separation with the right to remarry.
ALFI calls for support for troubled marriages such as counseling and for
actions that address the reasons why couples separate before legalizing
separation.
Alcuin Papa, Philippine Daily
Inquirer, 26 November 2001.
P700, 000 worth of bombs
a day
A
ranking military official revealed that the government is spending US $1,200 or
P700, 000 a day in its operation against the troops of renegade Moro leader Nur
Misuari since November 19. This figure translates to a total of P2.8million
worth of bombs as of November 26, a day after Misuari was caught on Malaysian
territory. Source: PDI Mindanao Bureau, 26 November 2001
Solon bats for clear
policy on birth control
Speaker
Jose de Venecia has urged the government to make an unequivocal policy on birth
control, saying the country’s economic resources could not catch up with the
rapidly expanding population. He said that if necessary, the government has to
answer the question of whether to compel Filipino couples to limit their
children to two or three, as some countries have done, to stem population
growth. But he stressed that the solution need not put the Church and State into
confrontation. Answering queries from reporters, de Venecia said he is only for
methods sanctioned by the Church. Source: Juliet Javellana,
Philippine Daily Inquirer, 15 November 2001.
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