Archbishop Ramon Arguelles of Lipa has praised the introduction of a House bill that will “boost the protection of unborn children.”

House Bill (HB) 13 looks to go further than existing legislation protecting fetuses by specifically recognizing that human life exists when a sperm first penetrates the egg.

Congressman Roilo Golez of Paranaque City filed the bill titled “Protection of the Unborn Child Act 2010” at the House of Representatives on July 1.

He outlined what the proposed new law would entail to bishops at a July 11 session of their plenary assembly.

Archbishop Arguelles, a member of the Episcopal Commission on Family and Life, said he favors HB 13 and that “most bishops are happy” about it.

“I’ve already urged House Representatives from Batangas to support the bill,” he said.

The bill “is in line with Church teachings on when life begins,” he added.

He also believes it “will nullify another reproductive health bill” introduced in 2008 that the bishops’ conference opposed.

I explained to bishops at their closed-door session that the bill recognizes fetuses as human beings from the moment of conception. They are therefore entitled to a human’s right to life, safety and protection, before they reach and while they are in the womb, Golez said.

His bill mandates that the state protect the unborn child from any form of abortion.

If it becomes law, violators could be imprisoned for up to six months and/or fined up to 50,000 pesos (US$1,100).

The bill upholds parental rights over a pregnant minor, superceding the state’s right related to safety, protection and welfare of the mother-to-be and her unborn child.

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