From the Countries: The Philippines and Contraception

From the mouths of the experts, we have evidence of the link between contraception and abortion. A recent (2003) research report called “Relationships Between Contraception and Abortion: A Review of the Evidence” concluded that “contraceptive prevalence and the incidence of abortion can and, indeed, often do rise in parallel, contrary to what one what one would expect.”

This study was prepared by pro-abortion advocate the Allan Guttmacher Institute for Reproductive Health Research. The explanation given by the researchers is that this occurs during a “fertility transition.” When society shifts from desiring to avoiding children, they said, but contraceptive prevalence is not vet high, there are more unwanted pregnancies, “fueling increases in unwanted live births and induced abortion.” The Guttmacher Institute inaccurately claims that the demand for abortion declines when contraceptive prevalence is above 80%.1

The Philippines’ contraceptive prevalence rate has not exceeded 47–50% (NDH Surveys). This study suggests therefore that abortion in the country will rise, not fall, when contraception usage is promoted through House Bill 3773 and House Bill 5285 now pending in the 13th Congress. Thankfully there are two weeks to go before they go on recess in preparation for May elections and the next Congress. We hope they will not manage to pull off any unpleasant surprises.