Truth and the RH Bill

by Jerico Halaguena

23 August 2012

Discussed text: Gabriel Marcel, "The Mystery of Being"

There are two sides or two stands on the RH Bil: Pro or Anti. These are two truths that our fellow country men see. For some of us, we may not have seen these truths or we may have even avoid looking. Why? Maybe because these truths are not really truths for us. The RH Bill is said to be pro-poor, pro-women and even pro-poor women. It is also pro-education. On the other hand, it is also said to be anti-life with the use of contraceptives. For me, it is hard to call these as truths when the bill hasn't taken action. They are not yet facts. These are, I believe, possible truths. In class, I learned that we should not confuse "what I like the thing to be" and "what it is". I think that is really what is going on right now. We do not know what it is exactly or how it will play in our country exactly. Is it a real solution or do we just think it's a solution. For some, we would like it to be a solution. Truth is given meaning or value if it is connected to the subject who is in the community of researchers. Have the pro and the anti given their sides true value? For this issue I believe that the pros and the antis are the researchers, the subjects, who have looked at the RH bill and have seen some truths but, in my opinion, may not be in a community with one another. I have seen both sides argue. What I have not seen, is a pro and an anti looking for a compromise or proposing an alternative, together. The RH bill is there because of other truths in this country that all of us have seen: Poverty, abuse and death. Some of us do not want to see this truth but they should, they must. One must be open to the light, the truth. And maybe, we should take action to make this truth no more. If the bill is passed, let's all hope that a new truth would shine. A truth that is and also what we would like it to be. Peace. Happiness.