"The catechism - said Fr Melvin Castro, secretary of the Episcopal Commission on Family and life - was created for the Catholic faithful and is intended to help in the choice of voting ".

The priest calls on Filipino Catholics to consider the best interests of society rather than individual interests, to vote according to Christian values and above all to boycott candidates who support the law on reproductive health. "It is not morally acceptable to vote for those candidates who promote abortion, euthanasia and the use of condoms – he adds - the candidates that the church wants to boycott reflect only their own vision of family and life."

The debate on Reproductive Health has been ongoing for four years. Despite UN support in favour of the law it has never reached the quorum of 120 votes needed for approval. This is due to the opposition of Catholic lawmakers and the support of Philippine President Gloria Arroyo, who has always been contrary to policies of family planning and abortion. The law rejects abortion clinics, but supports a program of family planning, which prevents couples from having more than two children, punishable by the payment of a penalty and in some cases prison. The program supports the spread to all schools and public places of birth control pills, which have been banned by law, condoms and the promotion of voluntary sterilization. The Church and Catholic pro - life organizations instead promote the Natural Family Program (NFP), which aims at providing the people a culture of responsibility and love based on Christian values.