Manila, Philippines –The topic on free condoms emerged in a presidential forum held last Monday after the Department of Health distributed free condoms at the Dangwa market to people buying flowers for their valentine.
The seven presidential candidates during the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (Focap) presidential forum, were all not in favor of such campaign by the DoH.
Sen. Richard Gordon of the Bagumbayan Party said giving away condoms was useless unless its purpose was properly expalined. “Because of poor education, Filipinos cannot even discern whether they need a condom or not,” Gordon said.
Sen. Madrigal added in agreement to Sen. Gordon, that it should have been an information-driven campaign.
Sen. Benigno Aquino III of the Liberal Party pointed out that Congress, not Malacanang, had the power over the government purse, meaning, the President had no authority over funds for the DoH, or for the condoms.
Nicanor Perlas said he was not against the use of condoms per se, but was rather concerned of why DoH was distributing them.
Meanwhile, administration bet Gilbert Teodoro said use of family planning methods, whether natural or artificial, remained the moral choice of the person concerned.
Bro. Eddie Villanueva of the Bangon Pilipinas Movement said his group maintained its opposition to the use of “all forms of abortion because it is murder per se.”
