Condoms, Masturbation, and the RH Bill

With the energetic support of those who are in favor of it and the exaggerated opposition of those who are against it, including the hierarchy of the Roman Catholic church in the Philippines, the reproductive health (RH) bill can be considered as one of the hottest issues of our time. The RH bill is being talked and discussed by a lot of people, probably making it also one of the most discussed topics of our time.

On the left: Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile | On the right:
Senator Pia Cayetano

Last year, a conversation between Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile (anti-RH bill) and Senator Pia Cayetano (pro-RH bill) in a plenary debate on the Senate RH bill made a big highlight on the issue. It is because of Sen. Enrile's funny arguments about condoms and masturbation.

According to Sen. Enrile, masturbation can be considered abortion. He believes that the sperm is a living entity and that ejaculating it outside a vagina is a "form of abortion." Take note also that according to him, masturbation is the same thing with using condoms during a sexual intercourse, therefore making them both "forms of abortion" in accordance with his beliefs.

"Does his Honor equate now the ejaculation of a man outside of his partner’s vagina to interfering with the production of life?" asked Sen. P. Cayetano. "Yes," replied Sen. Enrile, "That is my belief. That is a matter of faith to me."

Using condoms and masturbation: Abortion?

Depiction of a satyr masturbating. Greek
krater from sixth century BC.

Before I answer the question, we will first know and confirm what abortion is. Wikipedia gives us this answer:

Abortion is defined as the termination of pregnancy by the removal or expulsion from the uterus of a fetus or embryo prior to viability. (source) 

Now that we have confirmed what abortion is, we will now define masturbation. (Yes, we will go with the masturbation thing first.) Again, Wikipedia will give us the answer.

Masturbation is the sexual stimulation of the genitals, usually to the point of orgasm. The stimulation can be performed manually, by use of objects or tools, or by some combination of these methods. Masturbation is a common form of autoeroticism, providing sexual pleasure or orgasm in the absence of a partner. The act, when performed with a partner, is called mutual masturbation and is sometimes used as an alternative to sexual intercourse. (source)

By reading that, we have confirmed that "non-mutual" masturbation is done without a partner while mutual masturbation is done with a partner. Mutual or "non-mutual," masturbation is done outside a vagina. (In the case of women, masturbation is done without a penis being inserted on their vagina.) Therefore, no sexual intercourse occurs in masturbation, whether it's mutual or "non-mutual." Pregnancy is very impossible when only masturbation is done. If there's no pregnancy, how can abortion be possible? There's no baby to abort.

Now, let's go to the case of using a condom during sexual intercourse.

What's the job of a condom when used during a sexual intercourse? As a barrier contraceptive, the job of a condom is to physically block ejaculated semen from entering the body of a sexual partner during a sexual intercourse. If a condom is used properly during a sexual intercourse, the sperm, which is in the semen, will not be able to reach the ovum. If the sperm is not able to reach the ovum, fertilization is impossible. If fertilization is impossible, pregnancy is absolutely impossible because for a woman to get pregnant, a spermatozoön must fertilize the ovum first. If pregnancy is impossible, abortion is definitely impossible.

There are also female condoms and their job is to also physically block ejaculated semen from entering the woman's body during a sexual intercourse.