Presidential aspirant Vice President Leni Robredo maintains her opposition to abortion, but said she is open to discussions on its decriminalization.
In a presidential interview with TV host Boy Abunda on Wednesday, Jan. 26, Robredo spoke of being “very conflicted” on whether aborting pregnancy resulting from rape should be legalized.
“This is a topic that I'm very conflicted about because of the data that you have mentioned. I was a member of an NGO (non-government organization) that really pushed the decriminalization of abortion to avoid unsafe practices,” she said in a mix of English and Filipino.
The Vice President explained she is conflicted because “my faith teaches me na bawal talaga ‘yung magpatay (that we should not really kill).”
A devout Catholic, she noted that abortion is only allowed in the Philippines if pregnancy puts the life of a mother in danger.
“If the mother's life is in danger they allow it in very rare instances, and I think that should continue,” the presidential aspirant said.
But having said that, Robredo reiterated her opposition against abortion although she is open to discussing its decriminalization.
“I would like to listen to more people about it. I've listened to so much already, pero mahirap ‘yung (but it is a difficult) balancing act,” the lady official said.
“Kasi pag nakita natin ‘yung ipinaglalaban ng mga sumusulong ng decriminalization ng abortion, meron naman silang dahilan. Kasi pag bawal, nagiging underground siya, at pag naging underground siya, nagiging mas-unsafe (Because if you know the arguments of those who are pushing for the decriminalization of abortion, they have their reasons. Because if it’s prohibited, it becomes underground, and if it’s underground, it’s more unsafe),” she added.