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The news that his name was no longer in the roll of Congress was expected to unnerve Benhur Salimbangon, but over a broadcast interview yesterday, he sounded as if he couldn?t care less. He described the report as part of an orchestrated plan to derail his campaign and demoralize his supporters but he stressed that they remain focused and that the issue of who sits in Congress as 4th district representative is no longer important.
In practical terms, Benhur has a point because assuming his name is no longer in the House roll, there is also no way Celestino ?Tining? Martinez III can take the seat because Congress is no longer in session. And as 4th district representative for the main part of 2007 up to the last session before the Lower House adjourned last February 3 when Benhur was still recognized as district congressman, he fully discharged his functions and responsibilities. Unsa pa may pulos tuod sa sigeng lantugi?
I think the supposed illegitimacy of Benhur?s election is being mined to distract attention from his accomplishments, but I don?t think it?s effective. People who clamor for change won?t just bank on promises but on solid performance and that makes Benhur the candidate to beat in the 4th district.
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In a previous article, I wrote that after the House of Congress failed to act on the controversial Reproductive Health Bill, the proposed legislation was rendered dead and buried. I take back what I said after analyzing recent developments vis-a-vis the government?s stance on the population issue. The Department of Health campaign to distribute free condoms, ostensibly to prevent the spread of the dreaded HIV/AIDS disease is aimed at implementing the RH bill provisions piecemeal, behind the back of Congress or with its tacit approval, whichever way one looks at it.
The reason there is a lobby in favor of artificial contraception in Congress is the decision of the US government during the presidency of George W. Bush to reduce funding to international institutions pushing for population control, like the United Nations. What makes their campaign dubious is their bias for artificial contraception devices. It is said that Bush was moved to decide against giving more population control funds after getting wind of reports that US contributions were being used to force women in China to undergo abortion.
I don?t think the Obama administration will reverse the Bush era policy knowing that the US economy has yet to recover from the international financial debacle two years ago. If the US will no longer support population control initiatives, imagine how this would affect foreign institutions that cater to companies engaged in the manufacture of condoms, contraceptive pills, etc. The US position has in fact pushed funding institutions to realign its population control advocacy by campaigning for tuberculosis, malaria, and HIV/AIDS-free societies.
It is not surprising that as the condom debate rages on, Global Fund, which handles billions of dollars in grants from rich countries, is poised to ask donors to replenish funds of over $19 billion. Meanwhile, the Philippine government is pushing for condoms to fight HIV/AIDS even if we have the lowest prevalence in Asia.
In its 2010 report, AVERT, an international HIV/AIDS charity based in the United Kingdom said the Philippines ?has a very low HIV prevalence, with under 0.1% of the population infected. Even in groups such as sex workers that are typically associated with higher levels of HIV, prevalence rates above 1% have not yet been detected.?
The AVERT report is validated by DOH statistics; as of 2009 there have been 709 HIV positive cases, compared to more than 520 cases in 2008. The main driver for this spike in HIV cases is the liberal lifestyle adopted by young people. Instead of waging a moral campaign, government is stirring up national hysteria by saying an HIV/AIDS epidemic is happening. Next thing we heard, the DOH is planning to purchase $8 million or roughly P400 million worth of condoms, or 40 million prophylactics more or less.
Unsaon man nang gidaghanona sa condom, ipakaon sa mga tawo?
