Selfishness, RH IRR, and Adios Damaso!

I was told that I should be selfish and think of myself, as advocacy will still be there when I am more established and probably in a much better position to help people. This is the same person who taught me that discrimination isn't 100% bad. Thank you for thinking that this isn't just a phase and I'll 'grow out of it'. Sadly, some people think that - think that I am a frivolous little girl with frivolous desires. I promise to focus on bettering my career, but like I said, I am in love with advocacy. I'll manage it, somehow.

Although I am already very selfish, I am sharing this poem. It's not financial stability and career improvement, but it is all mine... or should I say all me?

Their secrets and her secrets, she whispers to the sky.

Her secrets are wishes

written upon clouds and upon paper,

neither fulfilled nor heard

by gods or by fate.

Meaningless against indifference,

perishing in insignificance.

…for perhaps there is no god,

and perhaps there is no fate,

to blame for the fragments of her heart -

only unquenchable desire

for the untouchable stars.

(3 March 2013, 2:13AM)

Now back to regular programming. 

I was fortunate to be at Implementing Rules and Regulations Consultation for the Reproductive Health Law last March 9 at the Century Park Hotel, along with other members of the Alliance of Young Nurse Leaders and Advocates and Philippine Health Bloggers Society. I saw a few familiar faces such as fellow nurse and AIDS prevention advocate Angelo Esperanzate (with his cool, top of the line camera), Red Tani and his gang from the Filipino Freethinkers, my ultimate girl crush Ana Santos of Sex and Sensibilities, and Ms. Beth Angsioco of DSWP.

The IRR was signed, sealed, and is ready for implementation on Easter Sunday, and that makes me one incredibly happy chick. Despite this, there is one parts of the IRR (and the law, for that matter) that is like a cloud in a clear blue summer sky. 

In Chapter 2 of the IRR presented for the consultation, a section is devoted to the access of minors to family planning services:

This part is okay; it's what the RH Law is all about, after all:

• No person shall be denied information and access to family planning services, whether natural or artificial

This part got many people scratching their heads: 

• A minor will only be allowed access to FP services in public health facilities if he/she

         1. Presents written consent from their parents and/or legal guardians; or

  

       2. Has had a previous pregnancy as proven by documentation that includes, but is not  limited to:

              ~ Written documentation from a physician;

              ~ Documentation through ancillary examinations such as ultrasound;

              ~ Written documentation submitted by guardian

So it is either the girl's already a teenage mom (which is what we're trying to prevent in the first place) OR it's "Hey Mom, I'm 15, I think I'm in love with this boy, and I wanna have sex. Can you give me a written consent so I can get some rubber from the health center nurse?" 

Good luck with THAT happening. 

Unfortunately, the IRR team can't really change what is in the law, and this particular mind-numbing restriction IS in the law. Fortunately, the IRR team is a wais lot. This little problem could be solved by exploiting loopholes, and explore loopholes they did. IRR Drafting Team member Nr. Alvin Dakis enumerates some of the changes here.:

• One parent providing consent is acceptable. This is to recognize single parents.
• Social Workers can give consent for street children.
• An older brother or sister can give consent, provided that they are above 18.

Of course, since the restriction is for public facilities only, minors can still get appropriate help with birth control through private providers and non-government organizations like Likhaan. Check them out.: http://www.likhaan.org. Or you can phone them at 926-6230.

Here's another shiny new feature of the signed IRR:

That in case a minor satisfies any of the above conditions but is still refuse access to information and/or services, the minor may direct complaints to the designated Reproductive Health Officer (RHO) of the facility. Complaints shall be acted upon immediately.

The law may be restrictive to providing RH information and services to minors, but there are still loopholes to be exploited. And exploit we shall.

Check out the full IRR here.

What brought about this mother of contradictions? The RH Law was crafted not only to better maternal mortality and morbidity, but also to curb the staggering numbers of teenage pregnancy. The Philippines is practically teenage pregnancy capital of Asia, and one of the ways that is seen to be effective solution to the problem is providing FP and RH information and services to the youth. 

That kamot-ulo restriction had kamot-ulo origins. Why was this allowed in the RHRP Law? Two things: bargain buy and Sotto Conservatism.

In order for the other legislators to buy the RH Bill, some changes had to be made in its less conservative provisions. The universal access to services apparently suffered along with many other important provisions. "Of course minors should not know how to put on a condom! Why, they might actually USE it! And knowing about sex might make them eager for premarital sex! Even if studies show that it's the opposite, well, I don't believe it!" We're talking about reproductive and sexual health education here, not porn. It's kind of sad that minors have to turn to porn to learn about sex. I mean, it's great for techniques and positions, but it doesn't really say a lot about safe sex. This way of thinking is one of the products of idiot conservatism that the RH Law had to fight through - ultra-conservative and hypocrite society, politicians, and the Catholic Bishop's Conference of the Philippines whose vendetta against those who passed and lobbied for comprehensive sexual and reproductive health has been preposterous at worst, atrocious at best. 

The Diocese of Bacolod's infamous Team Buhay/Team Patay oversized 

tarp.

Above is the latest name the CBCP has for RH supporters: Team Patay. In fairness, it is a tad better than the Saved Sex tarp that cropped up with a few months ago. Despite the obvious improvement of wordplay, I still think that the move is far from cute. After denying time and again that they are politicking - well, they are politicking. Bashing people on the pulpit; branding those who go against them as the anti-life and family wreckers; endorsing candidates who are anti-RH and calling them Team Buhay even if their only merit is to go against the RH Bill and having pamatay less-than-squeeky-clean records. Threatening candidates who've ignored their irrational pleas with the mythological Catholic Vote. Plain -as-daylight politicking.

The COMELEC has asked the Diocese to take down the tarp, and the Diocese cried fowl and invoked Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Religion. Ironic that they should be citing the same right that should have allowed Carlos Celdran to go free for his Damaso act in the Manila Cathedral. Way to invoke the law when it suits you. 

We all know the story. RH champion Carlos Celdran showed up in the Manila Cathedral and told the Bishops to keep their noses and rosaries out of politics. That little stunt got him sued. So much for Freedom of Speech.

The truth: I am tired of these  men, the so-called Princes of the Church, throwing self-righteous codswallop about morality when they mollycoddle their rapists and pedophile ka-baro and criminals who supply them with Pajero, turn a blind eye to discrimination because they are a major force behind it, and believe themselves above others and above the law. The RCC invokes the power of the majority, believing its followers will follow without thinking, believing that its decision is the best decision, regardless of how it marginalizes those who they believe to be below their moral standards. These old men preach righteousness, when they have barely have any.

I am, in short, tired of bullshit. So tired, in fact, that I was wonderfully relieved that Tagle was not made Pope. I did know know how I'll be able to stand CBCP's rabid fanboying if that happened. 

There you go, ladies and gents: the reason why I've left. I'm not good with terms, so I don't know what to call myself as of now. But labels are just labels, after all, like "Princes of the Church" and "Team Patay."

Should I be questioned on my religious beliefs, well, here is my answer.:
Do I believe in God? Does that even matter? I believe that no one is above others. I believe in people's ability to love truly and to give, to be kind and to be merciful of others. I believe that even without religion a person can be good.