Imbong vs Ochoa

Republic of the PhilippinesSUPREME COURTBaguio CityEN BANCG.R. No. 204819 April 8, 2014JAMES M. IMBONG an !O"E!#$ANN C. IMBONG, %or &'()*(l+(* an in ,('al% o% &'(ir )inor -'ilr(n, !UCIA CAR!OS IMBONG an BERNA.ETTE CAR!OS IMBONG an MAGNI/ICAT C0I!. .E"E!OPMENT CENTER, INC., Petitioners, vs.0ON. PA1UITO N. OC0OA, JR., E2(-3&i+( S(-r(&ar4, 0ON. /!ORENCIO B. ABA., S(-r(&ar4, .(par&)(n& o% B35(& an Mana5()(n&, 0ON. ENRI1UE T. ONA, S(-r(&ar4, .(par&)(n& o% 0(al&', 0ON. ARMIN A. !UISTRO, S(-r(&ar4, .(par&)(n& o% E3-a&ion, C3l&3r( an Spor&* an 0ON. MANUE!A. RO6AS II, S(-r(&ar4, .(par&)(n& o% In&(rior an !o-al Go+(rn)(n&, Respondents.x---------------------------------xG.R. No. 204974A!!IANCE /OR T0E /AMI!# /OUN.ATION P0I!IPPINES, INC. 8A!/I9, r(pr(*(n&( ,4 i&* Pr(*i(n&, Maria Con-(p-ion S. No-'(, Spo3*(* R(4nalo S. !3i*&ro : Ro*i( B . !3i*&ro, Jo*( S. San(;a* : El(ni&a S.A. San(;a*,Ar&3ro M. Gorr(< : Mari(&&a C. Gorr(. M(nor, Sa)3(l J. #ap, Jai)( /. Ma&(o, Roll4 Si53an, .an&( E. Ma5an5al, Mi-'a(l E35(nio O. Plana, Bi(n+(nio C. Mi53(l, Jr., !anri&o M. .io@no an Balo)(ro /al-on(, Petitioners, vs.0ON. PA1UITO N. OC0OA, JR., E2(-3&i+( S(-r(&ar4, 0ON. /!ORENCIO B. ABA., S(-r(&ar4, .(par&)(n& o% B35(& an Mana5()(n&, 0ON. ENRI1UE T. ONA, S(-r(&ar4, .(par&)(n& o% 0(al&', 0ON. ARMIN A. !UISTRO, S(-r(&ar4, .(par&)(n& o% E3-a&ion, 0ON. MANUE!A. RO6AS II, S(-r(&ar4, .(par&)(n& o% In&(rior an !o-al Go+(rn)(n&, 0ON. CORA>ON J. SO!IMAN, S(-r(&ar4, .(par&)(n& o% So-ial C(l%ar( an .(+(lop)(n&, 0ON. ARSENIO BA!ISACAN, .ir(-&or$G(n(ral, Na&ional E-ono)i- an .(+(lop)(n& A3&'ori&4, 0ON. SU>ETTE 0. !A>O,.ir(-&or$G(n(ral, /oo an .r35* A)ini*&ra&ion, T0E BOAR. O/ .IRECTORS, P'ilippin( 0(al&' In*3ran-( Corpora&ion, an T0E BOAR. O/ COMMISSIONERS, P'ilippin( Co))i**ion on Co)(n, Respondents.x---------------------------------xG.R. No. 20D4E8RE#NA!.O J. EC0A"E>, M..., JAC1UE!INE 0. BING, M..., C#NT0IA T. .OMINGO, M..., AN. JOSEP0INE MI!!A.O$!UMITAO, M..., -oll(-&i+(l4 @noAn a* .o-&or* /or !i%(, an ANT0ON# PERE>, MIC0AE! ANT0ON# G. MAPA, CAR!OS ANTONIO PA!A., CI!/RE.O JOSE, C!AIRE NA"ARRO, ANNA COSIO, an GABRIE! .# !IACCO -oll(-&i+(l4@noAn a* /ilipino* /or !i%(, Petitioners, vs.0ON. PA1UITO N. OC0OA, JR., E2(-3&i+( S(-r(&ar4F 0ON. /!ORENCIO B. ABA., S(-r(&ar4 o% &'( .(par&)(n& o% B35(& an Mana5()(n&F 0ON. ENRI1UE T. ONA, S(-r(&ar4 o% &'( .(par&)(n& o% 0(al&'F 0ON. ARMIN A. !UISTRO, S(-r(&ar4 o% &'( .(par&)(n& o% E3-a&ionF an 0ON. MANUE!A. RO6AS II, S(-r(&ar4 o% &'( .(par&)(n& o% In&(rior an !o-al Go+(rn)(n&, Respondents.x---------------------------------xG.R. No. 20D491SPOUSES /RANCISCO S. TATA. AN. MARIA /ENN# C. TATA. : A!A /. PAGUIA, %or &'()*(l+(*, &'(ir Po*&(ri&4, an &'( r(*& o% /ilipino po*&(ri&4, Petitioners, vs.O//ICE O/ T0E PRESI.ENT o% &'( R(p3,li- o% &'( P'ilippin(*, Respondent.x---------------------------------xG.R. No. 20DE20PRO$!I/E P0I!IPPINES /OUN.ATION, In-., r(pr(*(n&( ,4 !o)a M(l(5ri&o, a* E2(-3&i+( .ir(-&or, an in '(r p(r*onal -apa-i&4, JOSE!#N B. BASI!IO, ROBERT >. CORTES, ARIE! A. CRISOSTOMO, JEREM# I. GAT.U!A, CRISTINA A. MONTES, RAU! ANTONIO A. NI.O#, CINSTON CONRA. B. PA.OJINOG, RU/INO !. PO!ICARPIO III, Petitioners, vs.O//ICE O/ T0E PRESI.ENT, SENATE O/ T0E P0I!IPPINES, 0OUSE O/ REPRESENTATI"ES, 0ON. PA1UITO N. OC0OA, JR., E2(-3&i+( S(-r(&ar4, 0ON. /!ORENCIO B. ABA., S(-r(&ar4, .(par&)(n& o% B35(& an Mana5()(n&, 0ON. ENRI1UE T. ONA, S(-r(&ar4, .(par&)(n& o% 0(al&', 0ON. ARMIN A. !UISTRO, S(-r(&ar4, .(par&)(n& o% E3-a&ion an 0ON. MANUE! A. RO6AS II, S(-r(&ar4, .(par&)(n& o% In&(rior an !o-al Go+(rn)(n&, Respondents.x---------------------------------xG.R. No. 20I7DDMI!!ENNIUM SAINT /OUN.ATION, INC., ATT#. RAMON PE.ROSA, ATT#. CITA BORROMEO$GARCIA, STE!!AACE.ERA, ATT#. BERTENI CATA!UNA CAUSING, Petitioners, vs.O//ICE O/ T0E PRESI.ENT, O//ICE O/ T0E E6ECUTI"E SECRETAR#, .EPARTMENT O/ 0EA!T0, .EPARTMENT O/ E.UCATION, Respondents.x---------------------------------xG.R. No. 20E111JO0N CA!TER B. JUAT, MAR# M. IMBONG, ANT0ON# "ICTORIO B. !UMICAO, JOSEP0 MARTIN 1. "ER.EJO, ANTONIA EMMA R. RO6AS an !OTA !AT$GUERRERO, Petitioners, vs.0ON. PA1UITO N. OC0OA, JR., E2(-3&i+( S(-r(&ar4, 0ON. /!ORENCIO ABA., S(-r(&ar4, .(par&)(n& o% B35(& an Mana5()(n&, 0ON. ENRI1UE T. ONA, S(-r(&ar4, .(par&)(n& o% 0(al&', 0ON. ARMIN A. !UISTRO, S(-r(&ar4,.(par&)(n& o% E3-a&ion, C3l&3r( an Spor&* an 0ON. MANUE! A. RO6AS II, S(-r(&ar4, .(par&)(n& o% In&(rioran !o-al Go+(rn)(n&, Respondents.x---------------------------------xG.R. No. 20E1E2COUP!ES /OR C0RIST /OUN.ATION, INC., SPOUSES JUAN CAR!OS ARTA.I SARMIENTO AN. /RANCESCA ISABE!!E BESINGA$SARMIENTO, AN. SPOUSES !UIS /RANCIS A. RO.RIGO, JR. an .EBORA0 MARIE "ERONICA N. RO.RIGO, Petitioners, vs.0ON. PA1UITO N. OC0OA, JR., E2(-3&i+( S(-r(&ar4, 0ON. /!ORENCIO B. ABA., S(-r(&ar4, .(par&)(n& o% B35(& an Mana5()(n&, 0ON. ENRI1UE T. ONA, S(-r(&ar4, .(par&)(n& o% 0(al&', 0ON. ARMIN A. !UISTRO, S(-r(&ar4, .(par&)(n& o% E3-a&ion, C3l&3r( an Spor&* an 0ON. MANUE!A. RO6AS II, S(-r(&ar4, .(par&)(n& o% In&(rior an !o-al Go+(rn)(n&, Respondents.x---------------------------------xG.R. No. 20EDI7A!MARIM CENTI TI!!A0 an AB.U!0USSEIN M. BAS0IM, Petitioners, vs.0ON. PA1UITO N. OC0OA, JR., E2(-3&i+( S(-r(&ar4, 0ON. ENRI1UE T. ONA, S(-r(&ar4 o% &'( .(par&)(n& o% 0(al&', an 0ON. ARMIN A. !UISTRO,S(-r(&ar4 o% &'( .(par&)(n& o% B35(& an Mana5()(n&,Respondents. E C ! " ! # NMEN.O>A, J.:$reedo% of religion &as accorded preferred status by the fra%ers of our funda%ental la&. And this Court has consistently a'r%ed this preferred status, &ell a&are that it is (designed to protect the broadest possible liberty of conscience, to allo& each %an to believe as his conscience directs, to profess his beliefs , and to live as he believes he ought to live, consistent &ith the liberty of others and &ith the co%%on good.()*o this day, poverty is still a %a+or stu%bling bloc, to the nation-s e%ergence as a developed country, leaving our people beleaguered in a state of hunger, illiteracy and une%ploy%ent. .hile govern%ental policies have been geared to&ards the revitali/ation of the econo%y, the bludgeoning dearth in social services re%ains to be a proble% that concerns not only the poor, but every %e%ber of society. *he govern%ent continues to tread on a trying path to the reali/ation of its very purpose, that is, the general &elfare of the $ilipino people and the develop%ent of the country as a &hole. *he legislative branch, as the %ain facet of a representative govern%ent, endeavors to enact la&s and policies that ai% to re%edy loo%ing societal &oes, &hile the executive is closed set to fully i%ple%ent these %easures and bring concrete and substantial solutions &ithinthe reach of 0uan dela Cru/. "ee%ingly distant is the +udicial branch, oftenti%es regarded as an inert govern%ental body that%erely casts its &atchful eyes on clashing sta,eholders until it is called upon to ad+udicate. Passive, yet re1exive &hen calledinto action, the 0udiciary then &illingly e%bar,s on its sole%n duty to interpret legislation vis-a-vis the %ost vital and enduring principle that holds Philippine society together - the supre%acy of the Philippine Constitution.Nothing has polari/ed the nation %ore in recent years than the issues of population gro&th control, abortion and contraception. As in every de%ocratic society, dia%etrically opposed vie&s on the sub+ects and their perceived conse2uences freely circulate in various %edia. $ro% television debates3 to stic,er ca%paigns,4 fro% rallies by socio-political activists to %ass gatherings organi/ed by %e%bers of the clergy5 - the clash bet&een the see%ingly antithetical ideologies of the religious conservatives and progressive liberals has caused a deep division in every level of the society. espite calls to &ithhold support thereto, ho&ever, Republic Act 6R.A.7 No. )8495, other&ise ,no&n as the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive :ealth Act of 38)3 6R: ;a&7, &as enacted by Congress on ece%ber 3), 38)3."hortly after the President placed his i%pri%atur on the said la&, challengers fro% various sectors of society ca%e ,noc,ing on the doors of the Court, bec,oning it to &ield the s&ord that stri,es do&n constitutional disobedience. A&are of the profound and lasting i%pact that its decision %ay produce, the Court no& faces the iuris controversy, as presented in fourteen 6)57 petitions and t&o 637 petitions- in-intervention, to &it. !%bong and ;ovely Ann C. !%bong, in theirpersonal capacities as citi/ens, la&yers and taxpayers and on behalf of their %inor children? and the >agni=cat Child ;ea%ing Center, !nc., a do%estic, privately-o&ned educational institution 60%bong7?637 Petition for Prohibition,@ =led by the Alliance for the $a%ily $oundation Philippines, !nc., through its president, Atty.>aria Concepcion ". NocheA and several othersB in their personal capacities as citi/ens and on behalf of the generations unborn 6A;$!7?647 Petition for Certiorari,C =led by the *as, $orce for $a%ily and ;ife Disayas, !nc., and Daleriano ". Avila, in their capacities as citi/ens and taxpayers 6*as, $orce $a%ily7?657 Petition for Certiorari and Prohibition,)8 =led by "erve ;ife Cagayan e #ro City, !nc.,)) Rosevale $oundation, !nc.,)3 a do%estic, privately-o&ned educational institution, and several others,)4 in their capacities as citi/ens 6"erve ;ife7?697 Petition,)5 =led by Expedito A. Bugarin, 0r. in his capacity as a citi/en 6Bugarin7?6@7 Petition for Certiorari and Prohibition,)9 =led by Eduardo #laguer and the Catholic Eybrspace Apostolate of the Philippines,)@ in their capacities as a citi/ens and taxpayers 6#laguer7?6A7 Petition for Certiorari and Prohibition,)A =led by the Philippine Alliance of Ese%inarians !nc.,)B and several others)C in their capacities as citi/ens and taxpayers 6PAE7?6B7 Petition,38 =led by Reynaldo 0. Echave/, >.. and several others,3) in their capacities as citi/ens and taxpayers 6Echave/7?6C7 Petition for Certiorari and Prohibition,33 =led by spouses $rancisco and >aria $enny C. *atad and Atty. Alan $. Paguia, in their capacities as citi/ens, taxpayers and on behalf of those yet unborn. Atty. Alan $. Paguia is also proceeding in his capacity as a %e%ber of the Bar 6*atad7?6)87 Petition for Certiorari and Prohibition,34 =led by Pro-;ife Philippines $oundation !nc.35 and several others,39 in theircapacities as citi/ens and taxpayers and on behalf of its associates &ho are %e%bers of the Bar 6Pro-;ife7?6))7 Petition for Prohibition,3@ =led by >illenniu% "aint $oundation, !nc.,3A Attys. Ra%on Pedrosa, Cita Borro%eo-Farcia, "tella Acedera, and Berteni Catalu=a Causing, in their capacities as citi/ens, taxpayers and %e%bers of the Bar 6>"$7?6)37 Petition for Certiorari and Prohibition,3B =led by 0ohn .alter B. 0uat and several others,3C in their capacities as citi/ens 60uat7 ?6)47 Petition for Certiorari and Prohibition,48 =led by Couples for Christ $oundation, !nc. and several others,4) in their capacities as citi/ens 6C$C7?6)57 Petition for Prohibition43 =led by Al%ari% Centi *illah and Abdulhussein >. Gashi% in their capacities as citi/ens and taxpayers 6*illah7? and6)97 Petition-!n-!ntervention,44 =led by Atty. "a%son ". Alcantara in his capacity as a citi/en and a taxpayer 6Alcantara7? and6)@7 Petition-!n-!ntervention,45 =led by Buhay :ayaang Hu%abong 6B I:AH7 , an accredited political party.A perusal of the foregoing petitions sho&s that the petitioners are assailing the constitutionality of R: ;a& on the follo&ing FR#IN"!"CI""!#NBefore delving into the constitutionality of the R: ;a& and its i%ple%enting rules, it behooves the Court to resolve so%e procedural i%pedi%ents.!. PR#CEIRA; !""IE< .hether the Court can exercise its po&er of +udicial revie& over the controversy.*he Po&er of 0udicial Revie&!n its atte%pt to persuade the Court to stay its +udicial hand, the #"F asserts that it should sub%it to the legislative and political &isdo% of Congress and respect the co%pro%ises %ade in the crafting of the R: ;a&, it being (a product of a %a+oritarian de%ocratic process(A9 and (characteri/ed by an inordinate a%ount of transparency.(A@*he #"F posits that the authority of the Court to revie& social legislation li,e the R: ;a& by certiorari is (&ea,,( since the Constitution vests the discretion to i%ple%ent the constitutional policies and positive nor%s &ith the political depart%ents, in particular, &ith Congress.AA !t further asserts that in vie& of the Court-s ruling in "outhern :e%isphere v. Anti-*erroris% Council,AB the re%edies of certiorari and prohibition utili/ed by the petitioners are i%proper to assail the validity of the acts of the legislature.AC>oreover, the #"F sub%its that as an (as applied challenge,( it cannot prosper considering that the assailed la& has yet to be enforced and applied to the petitioners, and that the govern%ent has yet to distribute reproductive health devices that are abortive. !t clai%s that the R: ;a& cannot be challenged (on its face( as it is not a speech-regulating %easure.B8!n %any cases involving the deter%ination of the constitutionality of the actions of the Executive and the ;egislature, it is often sought that the Court te%per its exercise of +udicial po&er and accord due respect to the &isdo% of its co-e2ual branchon the basis of the principle of separation of po&ers. *o be clear, the separation of po&ers is a funda%ental principle in our syste% of govern%ent, &hich obtains not through express provision but by actual division in our Constitution. Each depart%ent of the govern%ent has exclusive cogni/ance of %atters &ithin its +urisdiction and is supre%e &ithin its o&n sphere.B)*hus, the )CBA Constitution provides that< 6a7 the legislative po&er shall be vested in the Congress of the Philippines?B3 6b7 the executive po&er shall be vested in the President of the Philippines?B4 and 6c7 the +udicial po&er shall be vested in one "upre%e Court and in such lo&er courts as %ay be established by la&.B5 *he Constitution has truly bloc,ed out &ith deft stro,es and in bold lines, the allot%ent of po&ers a%ong the three branches of govern%ent.B9!n its relationship &ith its co-e2uals, the 0udiciary recogni/es the doctrine of separation of po&ers &hich i%poses upon the courts proper restraint, born of the nature of their functions and of their respect for the other branches of govern%ent, in stri,ing do&n the acts of the Executive or the ;egislature as unconstitutional. Derily, the policy is a har%onious blend of courtesy and caution.B@!t has also long been observed, ho&ever, that in ti%es of social dis2uietude or political instability, the great land%ar,s of the Constitution are apt to be forgotten or %arred, if not entirely obliterated.BA !n order to address this, the Constitution i%presses upon the Court to respect the acts perfor%ed by a co-e2ual branch done &ithin its sphere of co%petence and authority, but at the sa%e ti%e, allo&s it to cross the line of separation - but only at a very li%ited and speci=c point - to deter%ine &hether the acts of the executive and the legislative branches are null because they &ere underta,en &ith grave abuse of discretion.BB *hus, &hile the Court %ay not pass upon 2uestions of &isdo%, +ustice or expediency of the R: ;a&, it %ay do so &here an attendant unconstitutionality or grave abuse of discretion results.BC *he Court %ust de%onstrate its un1inching co%%it%ent to protect those cherished rights and principles e%bodied in the Constitution.!n this connection, it bears adding that &hile the scope of +udicial po&er of revie& %ay be li%ited, the Constitution %a,es no distinction as to the ,ind of legislation that %ay be sub+ect to +udicial scrutiny, be it in the for% of social legislation or other&ise. *he reason is si%ple and goes bac, to the earlier point. *he Court %ay pass upon the constitutionality of acts of the legislative and the executive branches, since its duty is not to revie& their collective &isdo% but, rather, to %a,e sure that they have acted in consonance &ith their respective authorities and rights as %andated of the% by the Constitution. !f after said revie&, the Court =nds no constitutional violations of any sort, then, it has no %ore authority of proscribing the actions under revie&.C8 *his is in line &ith Article D!!!, "ection ) of the Constitution &hich expressly providesoreover, this Court has invariably adopted a liberal rather than technical construction of the rule (so as not to cripple or i%pede legislation.( PE%phases suppliedK!n this case, a textual analysis of the various provisions of the la& sho&s that both (reproductive health( and (responsible parenthood( are interrelated and ger%ane to the overriding ob+ective to control the population gro&th. As expressed in the =rst paragraph of "ection 3 of the R: ;a&a+ority of the >e%bers of the Court are of the position that the 2uestion of &hen life begins is a scienti=c and %edical issue that should not be decided, at this stage, &ithout proper hearing and evidence. uring the deliberation, ho&ever, it &as agreed upon that the individual %e%bers of the Court could express their o&n vie&s on this %atter.!n this regard, the ponente, is of the strong vie& that life begins at fertili/ation.!n ans&ering the 2uestion of &hen life begins, focus should be %ade on the particular phrase of "ection )3 &hich readsr. A/cuna< Hes, to the extent that it is after the fertili/ation.>r. Fascon< *han, you, >r. Presiding #'cer.)9@*he fact that not all contraceptives are prohibited by the )CBA Constitution is even ad%itted by petitioners during the oral argu%ents. *here it &as conceded that tubal ligation, vasecto%y, even condo%s are not classi=ed as abortifacients.)9AAtty. Nocheore alar%ingly, it disregards and disobeys the constitutional %andate that (the natural and pri%ary right and duty of parents in the rearing of the youth for civic e'ciency and the develop%ent of %oral character shall receive the support of the Fovern%ent.(35A !n this regard, Co%%issioner Bernas &roteoreover, natural la&s are %ere thoughts and notions on inherent rights espoused by theorists, philosophers and theologists. *he +urists of the philosophical school are interested in the la& as an abstraction, rather than in the actual la& of the past or present.3AA Inless, a natural right has been transfor%ed into a &ritten la&, it cannot serve as a basis to stri,e do&n a la&. !n Republic v. "andiganbayan,3AB the very case cited by the petitioners, it &as explained that the Court is not duty-bound to exa%ine every la& or action and &hether it confor%s &ith both the Constitution and natural la&. Rather, natural la& is to be used sparingly only in the %ost peculiar of circu%stances involving rights inherent to %an &here no la& is applicable.3ACAt any rate, as earlier expounded, the R: ;a& does not sanction the ta,ing a&ay of life. !t does not allo& abortion in any shape or for%. !t only see,s to enhance the population control progra% of the govern%ent by providing infor%ation and %a,ing non-abortifacient contraceptives %ore readily available to the public, especially to the poor.$acts and $allaciesand the .isdo% of the ;a&!n general, the Court does not =nd the R: ;a& as unconstitutional insofar as it see,s to provide access to %edically-safe, non-abortifacient, eLective, legal, aLordable, and 2uality reproductive healthcare services, %ethods, devices, and supplies. As earlier pointed out, ho&ever, the religious freedo% of so%e sectors of society cannot be tra%pled upon in pursuit of &hat the la& hopes to achieve. After all, the Constitutional safeguard to religious freedo% is a recognition that %an stands accountable to an authority higher than the "tate.!n confor%ity &ith the principle of separation of Church and "tate, one religious group cannot be allo&ed to i%pose its beliefson the rest of the society. Philippine %ode% society leaves enough roo% for diversity and pluralis%. As such, everyone should be tolerant and open-%inded so that peace and har%ony %ay continue to reign as &e exist alongside each other.As healthful as the intention of the R: ;a& %ay be, the idea does not escape the Court that &hat it see,s to address is the proble% of rising poverty and une%ploy%ent in the country. ;et it be said that the cause of these perennial issues is not the large population but the une2ual distribution of &ealth. Even if population gro&th is controlled, poverty &ill re%ain as long asthe country-s &ealth re%ains in the hands of the very fe&.At any rate, population control %ay not be bene=cial for the country in the long run. *he European and Asian countries, &hich e%bar,ed on such a progra% generations ago , are no& burdened &ith ageing populations. *he nu%ber of their young&or,ers is d&indling &ith adverse eLects on their econo%y. *hese young &or,ers represent a signi=cant hu%an capital &hichcould have helped the% invigorate, innovate and fuel their econo%y. *hese countries are no& trying to reverse their progra%s, but they are still struggling. $or one, "ingapore, even &ith incentives, is failing.And in this country, the econo%y is being propped up by re%ittances fro% our #verseas $ilipino .or,ers. *his is because &e have an a%ple supply of young able-bodied &or,ers. .hat &ould happen if the country &ould be &eighed do&n by an ageing population and the fe&er younger generation &ould not be able to support the%R *his &ould be the situation &hen our total fertility rate &ould go do&n belo& the replace%ent level of t&o 637 children per &o%an.3B8!ndeed, at the present, the country has a population proble%, but the "tate should not use coercive %easures 6li,e the penal provisions of the R: ;a& against conscientious ob+ectors7 to solve it. Nonetheless, the policy of the Court is non-interference in the &isdo% of a la&.x x x. But this Court cannot go beyond &hat the legislature has laid do&n. !ts duty is to say &hat the la& is as enacted by thela&%a,ing body. *hat is not the sa%e as saying &hat the la& should be or &hat is the correct rule in a given set of circu%stances. !t is not the province of the +udiciary to loo, into the &isdo% of the la& nor to 2uestion the policies adopted by the legislative branch. Nor is it the business of this *ribunal to re%edy every un+ust situation that %ay arise fro% the application of a particular la&. !t is for the legislature to enact re%edial legislation if that &ould be necessary in the pre%ises.But as al&ays, &ith apt +udicial caution and cold neutrality, the Court %ust carry out the delicate function of interpreting the la&, guided by the Constitution and existing legislation and %indful of settled +urisprudence. *he Court-s function is thereforeli%ited, and accordingly, %ust con=ne itself to the +udicial tas, of saying &hat the la& is, as enacted by the la&%a,ing body.3B)Be that as it %ay, it bears reiterating that the R: ;a& is a %ere co%pilation and enhance%ent of the prior existing contraceptive and reproductive health la&s, but &ith coercive %easures. Even if the Court decrees the R: ;a& as entirely unconstitutional, there &ill still be the Population Act 6R.A. No. @4@97, the Contraceptive Act 6R.A. No. 5A3C7 and the reproductive health for &o%en or *he >agna Carta of .o%en 6R.A. No. CA)87, sans the coercive provisions of the assailed legislation. All the sa%e, the principle of (no-abortion( and (non-coercion( in the adoption of any fa%ily planning %ethod should be %aintained..:ERE$#RE, the petitions are PAR*!A;;H FRAN*E. Accordingly, the Court declares R.A. No. )8495 as N#* INC#N"*!*I*!#NA; except &ith respect to the follo&ing provisions &hich are declared INC#N"*!*I*!#NA;AAssociate 0ustice.E C#NCIR< CE R * ! $ ! C A * ! # NPursuant to "ection )4, Article D!!! of the Constitution, ! hereby certify that the conclusions in the above ecision had been reached in consultation before the case &as assigned to the &riter of the opinion of the Court.MARIA !OUR.ES P. A. SERENOChief 0usticeU)/oo&no&(*) !sla%ic a-&ah Council of the Philippines, !nc. v. #'ce of the Executive "ecretary, F.R. No. )94BBB, 0uly C, 3884? 589 "CRA 5CA, 985.3 "ee Vhttpante, Rolando >. Bautista S >aria $elisa ". Bautista, esiderio Racho S *ra2uilina Racho, $e%and Antonio A. *ansingco S Carol Anne C. *ansingco for the%selves and on behalf of their %inor children, *herese Antonette C. *ansingco, ;oren/o 0ose C. *ansingco, >iguel $ernando C . *angsingco, Carlo 0ose%aria C. *ansingco S 0uan Paolo C. *ansingco, "pouses >ariano D. Araneta S Eileen Y. Araneta for the%selves and on behalf of their %inor children, Ra%on Carlos Y. Araneta S >aya Angelica Y. Araneta, "pouses Renato C. Castor S >ildred C. Castor for the%selves and on behalf of their %inor children, Ren/ 0eLrey C. Castor, 0oseph Ra%il C. Castor, 0ohn Paul C. Castor S Raphae l C. Castor, "pouses Alexander R. Racho S Yara Y. Racho for the%selves a nd on behalf of their %inor chi ldren >argarita Racho, >i,aela Racho, >artin Racho, >ari Racho S >anolo Racho, "pouses Alfred R. Racho S $ranc ine H. Racho for the%se lves and on behalf of their %inor children >ichael Racho, >ariana Racho, Rafael Racho, >axi Racho, C hessie Racho S ;aura Racho, "pouses avid R. Racho S Ar%ilyn A. Racho for the%selves and on behalf of the ir %inor child Fabrie l Racho, >indy >. 0uatas and on behalf of her %inor children Eli+ah Feneral 0uatas and Elian Fabriel 0uatas, "alvacion >. >onteiro, E%ily R. ;a&s, 0oseph R. ;a&s S Gatrina R. ;a&sC .ith Prayer for !n+unction? doc,eted a s F.R. No. 385C9A.)8 .ith Prayer for the issuance of a *e%porary Restraining #rderM .rit of Preli%inary !n+unction? doc,eted as F.R. No. 385CBB? rollo 6F.R. No. 385CBB7, pp. 9-4 9.)) *hrough and together &ith its president Nestor B. ;u%icao, >..)3 *hrough and together &ith its representativeM %e%ber of the school board r. Rodrigo >. Alenton, >..)4 Rose%arie R. Alenton, !%elda F. !barra, Cpa, ;ovenia P. Naces, Phd. , Anthony F. Nagac, Earl Anthony C. Fa%be And, >arlon !. Hap.)5 oc,eted as F.R. No. 389884? Petition is entitled (Petition 6*o eclare As Inconstitutional Republic Act No. )84957.(*he petition fails to provide any description as to nature of the suit under the Rules of Court? rollo 6F.R. No. 3898847, pp. 4-58.)9 .ith prayer for the issuance of a *e%porary Restraining #rder? doc,eted as F.R. No. 389854 ? rollo 6F.R. No. 3898547, pp. 4-)@.)@ *hrough its vice president and co-founder, Eduardo B.#laguer.)A .ith Prayer for the issuance of a *e%porary Restraining #rderM .rit of Prel i%inary !n+unction? doc,eted as F.R. No. 389 )4B? rollo 6F.R. No. 389)4B7, pp. 4-98.)B *hrough and together &ith its president Atty. Ricardo >. Ribo.)C Atty. ;ino E.A. u%as, Ro%eo B. Al%onte, #s%undo C. #rlanes, Arsenio Y. >enor, "a%uel 0. Hap, 0ai%e $. >ateo, Rolly "iguan, ante E. >agdangal, >ichael Eugenio 8. Plana, Bienvenido C. >iguel, 0r., ;andrito >. io,no And Baldo%ero $alcone.38 .ith Prayer for the issuance of a *e%porary Restraining #rderM .rit of Pre li% inary !n+unction? *he petition fails to provide any description as to nature of the suit under the Rules of Court? doc,eted as F.R. No. 3895AB? rollo 6F.R. No.3895AB7, pp. 4-3@.3) 0ac2ueline :. Ging, >.., Cynthia *. o%ingo, >.., 0osephine >illado-;u%itao, >.., Anthony Pere/, >ichael Anthony F. >apa, Carlos Antonio Palad, .ilfredo 0ose, Claire Navarro, Anna Cosio, Fabrie l y ;iacco33 .ith Prayer for the issuance of a *e%porary Restraining #rderM .rit of Preli% inary !n+unction? doc,eted as F.R. No. 3895C )? rollo 6F.R. No. 3895C )7, pp. 4-)4.34 .ith Prayer for the issuance of a *e%porary Restraining #rderM .rit of Preli%inary !n+unction? doc,eted as F.R. No. 389A38? rollo 6F.R. No. 389A387, pp. 4-C8.35 *hrough and together &ith its executive director, ;o%a >elegrito.39 0oselyn B. Basilio, Robert /. Cortes, Ariel A. Crisosto%o, 0ere%y !. Fatdula, Cri stina A. >ontes, Raul Antonio A. N idoy, .inston Conrad B. Pado+inog, Ru=no ;. Policarpio !!!.3@ oc,eted as F.R. No. 38@499, rollo 6F.R. No. 38@4997, pp. 4-43.3A *hrough and together &ith its co-petitioners, Attys. Ra%on Pedrosa, Cita Borro%eo-Farcia, "tella Acedera, and Berteni Cataluna Causing .3B .ith prayer for a .rit of Preli%inary !n+unction? doc,eted as F.R. No. 38A ))) ? rollo 6F.R. No. 38A))) 7, pp. 4-9).3C >ary >. l%bong, Anthony Dictorio B. ;u%icao, 0oseph >artin O. Derde+o, Antonio E%%a R. Roxas and ;ota ;at-Fuerrero.48 .ith prayer for a .rit of Pre li%inary !n+unction? doc,eted as F.R. No. 38A )A3? rollo 6F.R. No. 38A )A37, pp. 4-9@.4) "pouses 0uan Carlos Artadi "ar%iento and $rancesca !sabelle Besinga-"ar%iento, and "pouses ;uis $rancis A. Rodrigo, 0r. and eborah >arie Deronica N. Rodrigo.43 oc,eted as F.R. No. 3 8A9@4? rollo 6F.R. No. 3 8A9@47, pp. 4-) 9.44 Rollo 6F.R. No. 385C457, pp. )4B-) 99.45 Rollo 6F.R. No. 385B)C7, pp. )35 B-) 3@8.49 Petition, l%bong v. #choa, rollo 6F.R. No. 385B) C7, pp. B-) #? Petit ion, Alliance for the $a%ily $oundation, !nc. 6A;$!7 v. #choa, rolZo 6F.R. No. 385C4 57, pp. )9-39? Petition, "erve ;ife Cagayan e #ro City, !nc. v. #choa, rollo, 6F.R. No. 385CBB7, pp. )4-) 9? Petition, #laguer v. #na, rollo 6F.R. No. 3898547, pp. )8-)) ? Petition, Philippine Alliance of E"e%inarians 6PAE7 v. #choa, rolZo 6F.R. No. 389)4B7, pp. B-4@? Petition, Echave/ v. #choa, rollo 6F.R. N o. 3895AB7, pp. )8-) 4? Petition, >illenniu% "aint $oundation, !nc. v. #'ce of the President, rollo 6F.R. No . 38@49 97, pp. ))-)9 ? Petition, 0uat v. #choa, rollo 6F.R. No. 38A))) 7, pp. )A- )B? Petition, Buhay Party-list 6BI:AH7 v. #choa, rollo 6F.R. No. 385B)C7, pp. )399- )39@.4@ Petition, Alliance for the $a%ily $oundation, !nc. 6A;$!7 v. #choa, rollo 6F.R. No. 385C457, pp. 3@-3B? Petition, "erve ;ife Cagayan e #ro City, !nc. v. #choa, rollo, 6F. R. No. 385CBB7, pp. )9-) @? Petition, Echave/ v. #choa, rollo 6F.R. N o. 3895AB7, pp. )4- )5? Petition, Pro-;ife Philippines $oundation, !nc. v. #choa, rollo 6F.R. No. 389A387, pp. 48-49.4A Petition, *as, $orce for the $a%ily and ;ife Disayas, !nc. v. #choa, rollo 6F.R. No. 385C9A7, pp. 3@-3A? Petition, Philippine Alliance of E"e%inarians 6PAE7 v. #choa, rollo 6F.R. No. 389)4B7, pp. 4C-55? Petition, *atad v. #'ce of the President, rolMo 6F. R. No. 3895C)7, pp. B-C? Petition, Pro-;ife Philippines $oundation, !nc. v. #choa, rollo 6F.R. No. 389A387, pp . 9C-@A? Petition, >illenniu% "aint $oundation, !nc. v. #'ce of the President, rollo 6F.R. No. 3 8@4997, pp.39-3@.4B Petition, l%bong v. #choa, rollo 6F.R. No. 385B ! C7, pp. 38-33? Petition, Alliance for the $a%ily $oundation, inc. 6A;$!7 v. #choa, rollo 6F.R. No. 385C457, pp. 45-4B? Petition, *as, $orce for the $a%ily and ;ife Disayas, !nc. v. #choa, rollo 6F.R. No. 385C9A7, pp. 3@-3A? Petition, Echave/ v. #choa, rollo 6F.R. No. 3895AB7, pp. @-A? Petition, Pro-;ife Philippines $oundation, !nc. v. #choa, rollo 6F.R. No. 389A387, pp. 9@-A9? Petition, >illenniu% "aint $oundation, !nc. v. #'ce of the President, rollo 6F.R. No. 38@4997, pp. )@-33? Petition, 0uat v. #choa, rollo 6F.R. No. 38A )))7, pp.3B-44 ? Petition, Couples for Christ $oundation, !nc. v. #choa, roMlo 6F.R. No. 38A )A37, pp. )3- )@.4C "ection 9.34 ",illed :ealth Professional as a Conscientious #b+ector. ln order to be considered a conscientious ob+ector, a s,illed health professional shall co%ply &ith the follo&ing re2uire%entsillenniu% "aint $oundation,!nc. v. #'ce of the President, rollo 6F. R. No. 38@4997, p. )@? Petition, Couples for Christ $oundation, !n c. v. #choa, roMMo 6F. R. No. 38A )A37, pp. )@-38.5C Petition, !%bong v. #choa, rollo 6F. R. No. 3 85B) C7, pp. )5- )C? Petition, Alliance for the $a%ily $oundation, !nc. 6A;$!7 v. #choa, rollo 6F.R. No. 385C457, pp. 53-55? Petition, *as, $orce for the $a%ily and ;ife Disayas, !nc. v. #choa, rollo 6F.R. No. 385C9A7, pp. 3)-39? Petition, >illenniu% "aint $oundation, !nc. v. #'ce of the President, rollo 6F.R. No. 38@4997, pp. 34-39? Petition, Couples for Christ $oundation, !nc. v. #choa, rollo 6F.R. No. 38A)A37, pp. 34 -3B.98 0o int >e%orandu%, 0%bong v. #choa, rollo 6F.R. No . 385B)C7, pp. 39A )-39A5? Petition, #laguer v. #na, rollo 6F.R. No. 3898547, pp. ))-) 3? Petition, *atad v. #'ce of the President, rollo 6F. R. No. 3895C)7, pp. A-B? Petition, Couples for Christ $oundation, !nc. v. #choa, rollo 6F. R. No. 38A)A37, pp. 3B-43.9) Petition, Alliance for the $a%ily $oundation, !nc. 6A;$!7 v. #choa, rollo 6F.R. No. 385C457, pp. 3B-44? Petition, Philippine Alliance of E"e%inarians 6PAE7 v. #choa, rollo 6F. R. No. 389)4B7, pp. 4A-4B.93 "ection 3@. 6 !7 Every bill passed by the Congress shall e%brace only one sub+ect &hich shall be expressed in the title thereof? *as, $orce for the $a%ily and l ife Disayas, !nc. v. #choa, rollo 6F.R. No. 385C9A7, pp. @-) #? Echave/ v. #choa, rollo 6F. R. No. 3895AB7, pp. C-)8.94 Petition, Pro-;ife Philippines $oundation, !nc. v. #choa, rollo 6F.R. No. 389A387, pp. )5-48.95 >e%orandu%, Echave/ v. #choa, rollo 6F.R. No. 3895AB7, pp. BC5-C88? Petition, Couples for Christ $oundation, !nc. v. #choa, rollo 6F.R. No. 38A)A37, pp. 59-5B? Petition, *illah v. Executive "ecretary, rollo 6F.R. No. 38A9@47 pp. @-)3.99 Rollo 6F .. R. No. 385B)C7, pp. 4@3-5B8.9@ Rollo 6F .. R. No. 385B)C7, pp. )C9-494.9A Rollo 6F .. R. No. 385B)C7, pp. 5BA-93B.9B Rollo 6F.R. No. 385C457, pp. BA)-)88A.9C Rollo 6F.R. No. 385B)C7, pp.) 48@-)445? rollo, 6F.R. No. 385C457, pp. CB-)43.@8 Rollo 6F.R. No. 385B)C7, pp. A4@-AB8.@) !n her >otion for ;eave to !ntervene, "enator Pilar 0u liana ". Cayetano %anifested that she &as adopting as her o&n the argu%ents raised by respondents r. Esperan/a !. Cabral, 0a%ie Falve/-*an, and r. Alberto F. Ro%ualde/ in their Petition for !ntervention? "ee rollo 6F..R. No. 385B) C7, pp. )A4 )-) AB4. After being directed by the Court to =le their respective %e%oranda, intervenors r. Esperan/a !. Cabral, 0a%ie Falve/-*an, and r. Alberto F. Ro%ualde/ %an+fested on Nove%ber )B, 38) 4, that they &ere adopting the argu%ents raised by Congress%an ;ag%an in his 0oint >e%orandu%? "ee rollo 6F..R. No. 385B) C7, pp. 48@)-48A8. #n Nove%ber 3@, 38) 4, "enator Pilar 0uliana ". Cayetano =le d her separate >e%orandu% ? see, rollo 6F. .R. No. 385B)C7, pp. 4843-489C.@3 Resolution dated >arch )9, 38) 4.@4 Resolution, dated 0uly )@, 38) 4.@5 !n its Resolution, dated August 3A, 38) 4, the Court re2uired the parties to also include the follo&ing in their respective %e%orandaanage%ent, F. R. No. )@5CBA, April 35, 38) 3, @A8 "CRA 4A4 , 4B4.)83 *he Province #f North Cotabato v. *he Fovern%ent of the Republic of the Philippines, 9BC Phil. 4BA, 5B) 6388B7.)84 !d. at 5B4 .)85 *a\ada v. Angara, 44B Phil. 95@, 9A5 6 )CCA7.)89 Consolidated Co%%ent, #"F, rollo 6F. R. No. 385B)C7, p. 4B).)8@ "ee Inited "tates v. "alerno, 5B) I.". A4C 6 )CBA7.)8A *he $irst A%end%ent of the I" Constitution reads< Congress shall %a,e no la& respecting an establish%ent of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof? or abridging the freedo% of speech, or of the press? or the right of the people peaceably to asse%ble, and to petition the govern%ent for a redress of grievances.)8B Ro%ualde/ v. Co%%ission on Elections, 9A@ Phi l. 49A 6388B7? Ro%ualde/ v. :on. "andiganbayan, 5AC Phil. 3@9 63885 7? Estrada v. "andiganbayan, 53) Phi !. 3C8 6388 !7.)8C Resolution, Ro%ualde/ v. Co%%ission on Elect ions, 9C5 Phil. 489, 4 )@ 6388B7.))8 Constitution, Article D!!! , "ection ).))) Consolidated Co%%ent, #"F, rollo 6F. R. No. 385B )C7, pp. 4A9-4A@.))3 Consolidated Co%%ent, #"F, rollo 6F. R. No. 385B )C7, p. 4B5.))4 Ana, >indanao Party-list Froup v. *h e Executive "ecretary, 99B Phil. 44B, 498 6388A7.))5 !ntegrated Bar of the Philippines v. Ya%ora, 4C3 Phil. @)B, @44 638887, citing Ba,er v. Carr, 4@C I.". )B@ 6 )C@37.))9 issenting #pinion, 0. Carpio? Ro%ualde/ v. Co%%ission on Elections, 9A@ Phil. 49A, 58@ 6388B7.))@ "ocial 0ustice "ociety 6"0"7 v. angerous rugs Board and Philippine rug Enforce%ent Agency, 9C) Phil. 4C4, 585 6388B7? *atad v. "ecretary of the epart%ent of Energy, 45@ Phil. 43) 6)CCA7? e Fuia v. C#>E;EC, F .R . No. )85 A) 3, >ay @, ! CC3, 38B "CRA 538, 533.))A 984 Phil. 53, 94 638897.))B B5 Phil. 4@B, 4A4 6)C5C7.))C 5@5 Phil. 4A9, 4B9 638857.)38 Consolidated Co%%ent, #"F, rollo 6F.R. No. 385B)C7, pp. 4BB-4BC.)3) *he Province #f North Cotabato v. *he Fovern%ent of the Republic of the Philippines, supra note )83? #rtega v. Oue/on City Fovern%ent, 98@ Phil. 4A4, 4B8 638897? and Fon/ales v. Co%elec, )4A Phil. 5A) 6)C@C7.)33 "ection 3@. 6!7 Every bill passed by the Congress shall e%brace only one sub+ect &hich shall be expressed in the title thereof.)34 Petition, *as, $orce for the $a%ily and life Disayas, !nc. v. #choa, rollo 6F.R. No. 385C9A7, pp. @-)8? Petition, Echave/ v. #choa, rollo 6F.R. No. 3895AB7, pp. C-)8.)35 0oint >e%orandu%, ;ag%an, rollo, 6F.R. No. 385B)C7 pp. 3)3-3)5.)39 Consolidated Co%%ent, #"F, rollo 6F.R. No. 385B)C, pp.4BC-4C4.)3@ A;$! >e%orandu%, rollo 6F. .R. N o. 385C457, p. )4C@.)3A A;$! >e%orandu%, rollo 6F. .R. No. 385C457, p. )4C@.)3B A;$! >e%orandu%, rollo 6F. .R. No. 385C457, p. )4C@.)3C Cru/, Philippine Political ;a&, 3883 Edition, pp. )9 A-) 9B? citing B3 C0" 4@9.)48 Petition, l%bong v. #choa, rolMo 6F. R. No. 385B )C7, pp. B-)8? Petition, Alliance for the $a%ily $oundation, !nc. 6A;$!7 v. #choa, rollo 6F.R. No. 385C457, pp. )9-39? Petition, "erve ;ife Cagayan e #ro City, !nc. v. #choa, rollo, 6F.R.No. 385CBB7, pp. )4-) 9? Petition, #laguer v. #na, roMlo 6F. R. No. 3898547, pp. )8-)) ? Petition, Philippine Alliance of E"e%inarians 6PAE7 v. #choa, roMlo 6F.R. No . 389) 4B7, pp. B-4@? Petition, Echave/ v. #choa, rollo 6F.R. No. 3 895AB7, pp. )8-)4? Petition, >illenniu% "aint $oundation, !nc. v. #'ce of the President, rollo 6F. R. No. 38@4997, pp. ))-)9? Petition, 0uat v. #choa, rollo 6F.R. No. 38A))) 7, pp. )A-)B? Petition, Buhay Partylist 6BI :AH7 v. #choa, rollo 6F. R. No. 385B )C7, pp. )399 -)39@.)4) Petition, Alliance for the $a%ily $oundation, inc. 6A;$!7 v. #choa, rollo 6F. R. No. 385C457, pp. )9-39? Petition, "erve;ife Cagayan e #ro City, !nc. v. #choa, rollo, 6F.R. No. 385CBB7, pp. )4-) 9? Petition, #laguer v. #na, rollo 6F.R. No. 3898547, pp. )8-))? Petition, Philippine Alliance of E"e%inarians 6PAE7 v. #choa, rollo 6F.R. No. 389)4B7, pp. B-4@? Petition, Echave/ v. #choa, rollo 6F. R. No . 3895AB7, pp. )8-)4? Petition, >illenniu% "aint $oundation, !nc. v. #'ce of the President, rollo 6F.R. No. 38@4997, pp. ))-) 9? Petition, 0uat v. #choa, rollo 6F.R. No. 38A)))7, pp. )A-)B? Petition, Buhay Partylist 6BI:AH7 v. #choa, rollo 6F.R. No. 385B)C7, pp. )399-)39@.)43 Petition, Pro-;ife Philippines $oundation, inc. v. #choa, rollo 6F.R. No. 389A387, pp. )5-48.)44 >e%orandu%, Alcantara, rollo 6F.R. No. 385B)C7, p. 3)44? Reply, #laguer v. #na, rollo 6F.R. No. 3898547, pp. 44C-458.)45 Consolidated Co%%ent, #"F, rollo, 6F.R. No. 385B)C7, pp. 4C4-4C@? Co%%ent-!n-!ntervention, ;ag%an, rollo, 6F.R.No. 385B)C7, pp. 348-344? Co%%ent-!n-!ntervention, C5R:, rollo 6F.R. No. 385B )C7, pp. )8C)-)) C3? :ontiveros, rollo6F.R. No. 385C457, pp. )))-) )@? >e%orandu%, Cayetano,, rollo 6F.R. No. 385B)C7, pp. 484B-485).)49 Consolidated Co%%ent, #"F, rollo, 6F.R. No. 385B)C7, pp. 4C@-5)8.)4@ Co%%ent-!n-!ntervention, ;ag%an, rollo, 6F.R. No. 385B)C7, pp. 339-453.)4A Article 4, Iniversal eclaration of :u%an Rights.)4B "ee Republic Act No. 5A3C, dated 0une )B, )C@@.)4C "ee httpe%orandu%, Alliance for the $a%ily $oundation, rollo, 6F.R. No . 385C457, pp. )5)C-)559.)AB "ection 5. e=nition of *er%s. - $or the purpose of this Act, the follo&ing ter%s shall be de=ned as follo&se %orandu%, Alcantara, rollo, 6F.R. No. 385C457p. 3)4@? >e%orandu% , PAE, rollo 6F.R. No. 389 )4B7, pp. 3)95-3)99.)B) Consolidated Co%%ent, #"F, rollo 6F.R. No. 385B)C7, pp. 5)9-5)@.)B3 Fa%boa v. $inance "ecretary, F.R. No. )A@9AC, 0une 3B, 38)) , @ 93 "CRA @C8, A4B-A4C.)B4 449 Phil. B3 6 )CCA7.)B5 >e%orandu% , Alliance for the $a%ily $oundation, !n c. 6A;$!7 v. #choa, rolMo 6F.R. No. 385C457, p. )58B.)B9 !d.)B@ >e%orandu%, ;ag%an, rollo 6F.R. No. 385B)C7, pp. 349C-34@).)BA "eparate #pinion 60ustice ;eonardo-e Castro7 p. 95.)BB Petition, Philippine Alliance of E"e%inarians 6PAE7 v. #choa, rollo 6F. R. No. 389)4B7, pp. 58-5).)BC Petition, *as, $orceMor the $a%ily and ;ife Disayas, !nc. v. #choa, rollo 6F.R. No. 385C9A7, pp. 3@-3A? Petition, Philippine Alliance of E"e% inarians 6PAE7 v. #choa, rollo 6F.R. No. 389)4B7, pp. 4C-55? Petition, *atadv. #'ce of the President, rollo 6F.R. No. 3895C)7, pp. B-C? Petition, Pro-;ife Philippines $oundation, !nc. v. #choa, rollo 6F.R. No. 389A387, pp . 9C-@A? Petition, >illenniu% "aint $oundation, !nc. v. #'ce of the President, rollo 6F.R. No. 38@4 997, pp.39-3@.)C8 0oint >e%orandu%, l%bongM;uat, rollo 6F.R. No. 385B)C7, p. 3@)9.)C) 0oint >e%orandu%, !%bongM;uat, rollo 6F.R. No. 385B)C7, pp . 3@)@-3@3).)C3 Petition, Echave/ v. #choa, rollo 6FR. No. 3895AB7, pp. @-A.)C4 Petition, Couples for Christ $oundation, !nc. v. #choa, rollo 6F.R. No. 38A)A37, pp. 38-34.)C5 Petition, Coup les for Christ $oundation, !nc. v. #choa, rollo 6F.R. No. 38A ! A37, pp. 38-34.)C9 Petition, Alliance for the $a%ily $oundation, !nc. 6A ;$!7 v. #choa, rollo 6F.R. No. 385C457, pp. 49-4A.? Petition, >illenniu% "aint $oundation, !n c. v. #'ce of the President, rollo 6F.R. No. 38@4997, pp. )A- )B.)C@ >e%orandu%, Cayetano, rollo 6F.R. No. 385B)C7, p. 4898? Co%%ent-in-;ntervention, Cabral, rollo 6F.R. No. 3 85B)C7, p. 9 )).)CA >e%orandu%, #"F, rollo 6F. R. No. 385B)C7, p. 3@AA.)CB >e%orandu%, Cayetano, rollo 6F.R. No. 385B )C7, p. 4898.)CC 0oint >e%orandu% ;ag%an, rolZo 6F.R. No. 385B )C7, p. 34@).388 >e%orandu% . C5R:, rollo 6F.R. No. 385B)C7, p. 3)BC? >e%orandu%, Cayetano, rollo 6F.R. No. 385B)C7, p. 4898-489 ).38) >e%orandu%, Cayetano, rollo 6F.R. No. 385 B)C7, p. 4898 .383 >e%orandu%, #"F, rollo 6F.R. No. 385B)C7, p. 3@AA.384 >e%orandu%, #"F, rollo 6F.R. No. 385B)C7, p . 3@AC.385 >e%orandu%, #"F, rollo 6F.R. No. 385B)C7, p. 3@AC.389 Cru/, Philippine Political ;a&, 3888 ed ., p. )AC, citing 0ustice ;aurel in Engel v. Ditale, 4A8 I" 53).38@ Forospe, Constitutional ;a&, Dol. !, p. ! 88A38A Bernas, *he )CBA Constitution, 388C Ed. , p. 44838B Forospe, Constitutional ;a&, Dol. !, p. ! 8@@38C 9C "C RA 95 6)CA57.3)8 Escritor v. Estrada, A.>. No. P-83-)@9) , 0une 33, 388@, 939 Phil. ))8, )58- )5) 6388@7.3)) )8@ Phil. 3 6)C9C7.3)3 Ferona v. "ecretary of Education, )8@ Phil. 3, C- )8 6 )C9C7.3)4 Ebralinag v. ivision "uperintendent of "chools, 3)C "CRA 39 @ 6 )CC4 7, >arch ), )CC4.3)5 939 Phil. ))8 6388@7.3)9 !d. at )4A.3)@ !d. at )5B.3)A !d . at )5C.3)B !d. at )A9.3)C !d. at )@B- )@C.338 Estrada v. Escritor, 599 Phil. 5 )) , 9@8 638847.33) Cru/, Constitutional ;a&, 3888 edition, pp. )AB-) AC.333 Bernas, *he )CBA Constitution, 388C Ed. , p. 448.334 "eparate #pinion, Cru/, Ebralinag v. ivision "uperintendent of "chools, 3)C "CRA 39 @ 6 )CC4 7, >arch ), )CC4.335 Estrada v. Escritor, supra note 338, at 94A.339 38 )48 C"!: 4@.33@ http