High court in Philippines rejects parts of Reproductive Health bill

April 24, 2014

The top court in the Philippines has overturned portions of the Reproductive Health law, enacted in 2012 over the strong opposition of the country’s hierarchy.

Citing the prohibition on abortion in the country’s constitution, the Supreme Court overturned the bill’s support for contraceptives such as the morning-after pill. The court observed that human life begins at conception, and therefore any form of contraception that terminates life after that point is barred.

The court’s decision also invalidated a portion of the law that required health-care workers to provide contraceptive advice regardless of their own moral misgivings, and another portion that allowed minors to obtain contraceptives without their parents’ consent.

 

---

For all current news, visit our News home page.

---

 
Further information:

• High Court Guts Contraception Bill (C-Fam)