MANILA – Members of the influential Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) have ganged up on a senior woman member of the Arroyo Cabinet over the government decision to distribute condoms.
But Secretary Esperanza Cabral of the Department of Health remained unfazed and even increased the controversy a notch higher by announcing that aside from condoms, the government would now also start distributing contraceptive pills to couples interested in family planning.
The feisty but usually low-key Cabral, the former head of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, took over the health department in January from Secretary Francisco Duque who was appointed by President Gloria Macpagal-Arroyo as the chief of the Civil Service Commission.
The controversy started when the health department, in an unprecedented move, distributed free condoms to Filipinos who bought roses and flowers from the Dangwa Flower Market in the Sampaloc district, Manila on Valentine’s Day.
The health department  pointed out the condoms were distributed, along with relevant information materials, to stop the alarming increase in the number of HIV-AIDS cases in the country.
Besides, the health department said there were no public funds involved because the condoms were donated by the country’s condom manufacturers.
HIV-AIDS stand for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus which causes the dreaded ailment Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.
But the CBCP vehemently protested the decision and demanded Cabral’s immediate resignation over the distribution of the free condoms which it described as “gross and immoral†because it tended to encourage sexual promiscuity especially among the young Filipinos.
This was exemplified by a CBCP member, Archbishop Ramon Arguelles of Lipa City, Batangas province in Southern Luzon, who said a leader like Cabral should not be heading a vital government agency since her condom-distributing programme could undermine and endanger the morals of the people.
Bishop Dinualdo Gutierrez of Marbel, Cotabato province in Mindanao, agreed with Arguelles. He said Cabral is not a good Catholic, if she is one in the first place and if she supports the distribution of condoms.
Condoms are artificial contraceptives which are considered as a “no-no†by the CBCP, along with the pill, intrauterine device and vasectomy and whose use is considered as sin for couples who want to plan the number of their children.
In line with the Vatican policy, the CBCP is advocating only the use of natural family planning methods like withdrawal, abstinence and rhythm for couples in this predominantly Catholic nation.
In answer, Cabral said she would not resign and, in fact, increased the dispute a notch higher by announcing that aside from condoms, the health department would now also distribute contraceptive pills to interested couples.
Cabral said the government abides by the policy of informed choice and responsible parenthood as she stressed: “We leave it to the families to do whatever they want to do and the health department only facilitates or assists families who wish to observe family planning.â€
According to Cabral, if the Catholic Church has the responsibility to guard the morality of the people, the health department has the duty to protect their health.
Significantly, a Malacanang official said President Arroyo, a devout Catholic who has adhered closely to the CBCP policy of promoting only natural family planning methods, would not stop Cabral from distributing especially condoms.
Charito Planas, a deputy presidential spokesman, explained that as a matter of policy, President Arroyo does not go over the heads of her Cabinet officials in vital but controversial decisions like the distribution of condoms.
Planas said Cabral, a cardiologist, continues to enjoy the trust and confidence of the President despite the Arroyo advocacy for natural family planning methods.
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