Reproductive Health Law is not unconstitutional


 The Supreme Court of the Philippines confirmed the constitutionality of the Republic Act No. 10354 or the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health (RH) Act of 2012 during the high court’s en banc session on April 8, Tuesday, in Baguio City, Philippines. The SC justices ruled that the RH Law is bound within the country’s constitution. This ruling means that the temporary restraining order of its implementation released on March 19, 2013 will be immediately lifted.
 
“The Supreme Court decision strengthens the government’s commitment to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), especially on improving maternal health, reducing infant mortality and promoting universal access to family planning by 2015,” said Former Rep. Edcel Lagman, Principal Author of the RH Law and former Deputy Secretary General of AFPPD.
 
While the Supreme Court ruled the constitutionality of the RH Law, some of its provisions were nullified. “Although we wanted the entirety of the RH Law to declared constitutional, the few provisions whose constitutionality was not upheld will not diminish the efficacy of the law and deter its full implementation,” added Former Representative Lagman.
 
“AFPPD, as a community of regional parliamentarian advocates, supported the Philippine Legislators Committee on Population and Development (PLCPD) throughout its 14 years of RH advocacy,” said Mr. Ramon San Pascual, AFPPD Executive Chair. PLCPD is one of the 27 member national parliamentarian committees of AFPPD.
 
“The main themes and issues being fought for at the Sixth Asian and Pacific Population Conference (APPC) and now at the 47th Session of the Commission on Population and Development (CPD) are carried in RH law: freedom of choice, comprehensive sexuality education, access to RH services and information, and State accountability in ensuring people’s access to sexual, reproductive health and rights.,” commented Mr. San Pascual, who is currently in New York attending the CPD.
 
The positive ruling of the Philippine High Court is of perfect timing. “This year is the 20th year of the implementation of International Conference on Population and Development Programme of Action (ICPD PoA) and the on-going CPD dramatised not only the national but also the global dimensions of the Philippine RH Law,” added Mr. San Pascual.
 
“Parliamentarians can truly champion causes of ICPD PoA and can take the lead in meaningful policy reforms.”
 
For further information please contact: Ramon San Pascual at AFPPD on +66 899364300 or (66 2) 219 2903-4; monsp@afppd.org
 

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