BUHAY Party-list Chairman Jose “Lito” Atienza Jr. encouraged the public not to be misled by the anti-life conspiracy being pushed by lawmakers on bills that would legalize divorce and same-sex marriage.

Speaking at the Human Life International national conference in Cebu City last Saturday, Atienza said that the divorce and same-sex marriage bills are contrary to God’s divine plan.

“Life is God’s most sacred gift to man, and even our Constitution guarantees the government’s duty to protect life, marriage, and the family. But our very own lawmakers are doing all they can to undermine these most sacred principles,” he said.

On March 21, the House Committee on Population and Family Relations unanimously approved a bill to reinstitute absolute divorce for married couples in dysfunctional or abusive relationships.

“Let us face up to the problem. Our country has been blessed by God with abundant natural resources for everyone’s needs, but man has been using these resources to enrich only a few,” Atienza said.

“This is the reason our country is poor, not because there are 100 million Filipinos. Our people are our greatest resource, and yet these lawmakers want us to believe otherwise,” he added. “Let us advocate for the sanctity of life and denounce those who disrespect it.”

Atienza had supported “pro-life” initiatives and opposed any campaigns or actions that supported contraception and abortion.

Sen. Ana Theresia “Risa” Hontiveros, who filed the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (Sogie) bill in Congress, clarified that there is no provision in the measure for same-sex marriage.

Rep. Edcel Lagman, who is also a proponent of the Divorce bill, has said that procedures for divorce would be stringent and to be done in courts, to avoid the footloose way divorce is done in the West.