As Argentina's Macri attempts progressive makeover, millions are spent on abstinence advocate

As Argentina's Senate debates legalizing elective abortion, President Mauricio Macri has come under fire after proof emerged that his Social Development Ministry budgeted over 121 million pesos ($4.3 million) this year to a non-profit run by a far-right abstinence advocate, Dr. Abel Albino.

Albino, 71, considers sex "addictive," masturbation "a tyranny," homosexuality "a disease," and contraception "assisted fornication plans."

A member of the ultra-conservative Catholic sect Opus Dei, he opposes abortion even in cases of rape, incest, or to save a mother's life.

Speaking during Senate testimony on July 25, Albino defended his stance on reproductive rights by claiming that "condoms protect against nothing, since HIV can go through porcelain."

Macri, whose approval has plummeted to around 30% amid the worst recession since 2002, has attempted to win back moderate voters by hinting he'd sign the elective abortion bill should the Senate approve it.

A very good job

Documents show that Albino's CONIN Foundation has already received 62 million pesos ($4 million at the time) during Macri's first two years in office (2016 and 2017).

The funds, earmarked for "childhood malnutrion prevention," are in sharp contrast to Macri's cuts in nutrition assitance and school lunch programs, which according to activists has led to 5 million fewer liters of milk for poor children this year amid rising demand.

Albino has described poverty as a matter of "genetic potential" and "mental weakness."

Malnutrition, he believes, "is a cultural disease that occurs in places where sex takes place compulsively."

A 2009 study of CONIN's nutrition programs show no significant difference in height and weight outcomes between children enrolled in CONIN and the control group.

Speaking in Johannesburg during the BRICS summit earlier this week, Macri nevertheless defended Albino as doing a "very good job."

Reproductive health avocates have condemned Macri for cutting HIV prevention and treatment spending, and for eliminating the National Sexual Health and Responsible Parenthood Program - a program established by Congress in 2002.

Both cuts had been advocated by Dr. Albino.

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Macri and his unofficial health minister, Dr. Abel Albino, whose foundation has received over $8 million in federal funds since 2016 despite deep cuts elsewhere in the health budget.

Argentina's best-known abstinence crusader, Albino rails against sex - but seems to enjoy screwing taxpayers.