Philippine high court upholds reproductive health law

April 08, 2014

The Supreme Court of the Philippines has upheld the constitutionality of the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012 but struck down some of the act’s provisions, according to Philippine media reports.

The nation’s bishops have strongly opposed the legislation.

“Although the Supreme Court has upheld the constitutionality of the RH law, it has truly watered down the RH law and consequently upheld the importance of adhering to an informed religious conscience even among government workers,” said Archbishop Socrates Villegas, president of the bishops’ conference. “It has also stood on the side of the rights of parents to teach their children.”

“On the part of the Church, we must continue to teach what is right and moral,” he added. “We will continue to proclaim the beauty and holiness of every human person. Through two thousand years, the Church has lived in eras of persecution, authoritarian regimes, wars and revolutions. The Church can continue its mission even with such unjust laws. Let us move on from being an RH-law-reactionary-group to a truly Spirit empowered disciples of the Gospel of life and love.”

 

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Further information:

• CBCP Statement on the RH Law (CBCP News)
• Supreme Court approves birth control law (ABS-CBN News)
• SC: RH law constitutional (Inquirer.net)