Imbong v Ochoa All Opinions

8/18/2019 Imbong v Ochoa All Opinions

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Republic of the PhilippinesSUPREME COURTBaguio City

EN BANC

G.R. No. 204819 April 8, 2014

JAMES M. IMBONG an !O"E!#$ANN C. IMBONG, %or &'()*(l+(* an in ('al% o% &'(ir )inor -'ilr(n, !UCIA CAR!OS IMBONG an BERNAETTE CAR!OS IMBONG an MAGNI/ICATCI! E"E!OPMENT CENTER, INC., Petitioners,vs.ON. PAUITO N. OCOA, JR., E(-3&i+( S(-r(&ar, ON. /!ORENCIO B. ABA, S(-r(&ar,(par&)(n& o% B35(& an Mana5()(n&, ON. ENRIUE T. ONA, S(-r(&ar, (par&)(n& o% (al&', ON. ARMIN A. !UISTRO, S(-r(&ar, (par&)(n& o% E3-a&ion, C3l&3r( an Spor&*an ON. MANUE!A. RO6AS II, S(-r(&ar, (par&)(n& o% In&(rior an !o-alGo+(rn)(n&, Respondents.

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G.R. No. 204974

A!!IANCE /OR TE /AMI!# /OUNATION PI!IPPINES, INC. A!/I, r(pr(*(n&( i&*Pr(*i(n&, Maria Con-(p-ion S. No-'(, Spo3*(* R(nalo 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(


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PI!IPPINES, r(pr(*(n&( i&* Pr(*i(n& Al%on*o U)ali, TE !EAGUE O/ CITIES O/ TEPI!IPPINES, r(pr(*(n&( i&* Pr(*i(n& O*-ar Rori53(


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/!ORENCIO B. ABA, I!G SECRETAR# MANUE!A. RO6AS II, ECS SECRETAR# ARMIN A.!UISTRO, Respondents.

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G.R. No. 20178

PI!IPPINE A!!IANCE O/ 6SEMINARIANS, INC. FPA6, '(r(in r(pr(*(n&( i&* Na&ionalPr(*i(n&, A&&. Ri-aro M . Rio, an in 'i* o@n ('al%, A&&. !ino E.A. 3)a*, Ro)(o B.Al)on&(, O*)3no C. Orlan(*, Ar*(nio >. M(nor, Sa)3(l J. #ap, Jai)( /. Ma&(o, RollSi53an, 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.ON. PAUITO N. OCOA, JR., E(-3&i+( S(-r(&ar, ON. /!ORENCIO B. ABA, S(-r(&ar,(par&)(n& o% B35(& an Mana5()(n&, ON. ENRIUE T. ONA, S(-r(&ar, (par&)(n& o% (al&', ON. ARMIN A. !UISTRO, S(-r(&ar, (par&)(n& o% E3-a&ion, ON. MANUE!A.RO6AS II, S(-r(&ar, (par&)(n& o% In&(rior an !o-al Go+(rn)(n&, ON. CORA>ON J.SO!IMAN, S(-r(&ar, (par&)(n& o% So-ial (l%ar( an (+(lop)(n&, ON. ARSENIO

BA!ISACAN, ir(-&or$G(n(ral, Na&ional E-ono)i- an (+(lop)(n& A3&'ori&, ON.SU>ETTE . !A>O, ir(-&or$G(n(ral, /oo an r35* A)ini*&ra&ion, TE BOAR O/IRECTORS, P'ilippin( (al&' In*3ran-( Corpora&ion, an TE BOAR O/COMMISSIONERS, P'ilippin( Co))i**ion on o)(n, Respondents.

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G.R. No. 204D8

RE#NA!O J. ECA"E>, M.., JACUE!INE . ING, M.., C#NTIA T. OMINGO, M..,AN JOSEPINE MI!!AO$!UMITAO, M.., -oll(-&i+(l ?no@n a* o-&or* /or !i%(, anANTON# PERE>, MICAE! ANTON# G. MAPA, CAR!OS ANTONIO PA!A, I!/REO

JOSE, C!AIRE NA"ARRO, ANNA COSIO, an GABRIE! # !IACCO -oll(-&i+(l ?no@n a*/ilipino* /or !i%(, Petitioners,vs.ON. PAUITO N. OCOA, JR., E(-3&i+( S(-r(&ar ON. /!ORENCIO B. ABA, S(-r(&aro% &'( (par&)(n& o% B35(& an Mana5()(n& ON. ENRIUE T. ONA, S(-r(&ar o% &'((par&)(n& o% (al&' ON. ARMIN A. !UISTRO, S(-r(&ar o% &'( (par&)(n& o% E3-a&ionan ON. MANUE!A. RO6AS II, S(-r(&ar o% &'( (par&)(n& o% In&(rior an !o-alGo+(rn)(n&, Respondents.

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G.R. No. 20491

SPOUSES /RANCISCO S. TATA AN MARIA /ENN# C. TATA : A!A /. PAGUIA, %or &'()*(l+(*, &'(ir Po*&(ri&, an &'( r(*& o% /ilipino po*&(ri&, Petitioners,vs.O//ICE O/ TE PRESIENT o% &'( R(p3li- o% &'( P'ilippin(*, Respondent.

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G.R. No. 20D20


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PRO$!I/E PI!IPPINES /OUNATION, In-., r(pr(*(n&( !o)a M(l(5ri&o, a* E(-3&i+(ir(-&or, an in '(r p(r*onal -apa-i&, JOSE!#N B. BASI!IO, ROBERT >. CORTES, ARIE! A.CRISOSTOMO, JEREM# I. GATU!A, CRISTINA A. MONTES, RAU! ANTONIO A. NIO#,INSTON CONRA B. PAOJINOG, RU/INO !. PO!ICARPIO III, Petitioners,vs.O//ICE O/ TE PRESIENT, SENATE O/ TE PI!IPPINES, OUSE O/ REPRESENTATI"ES,

ON. PAUITO N. OCOA, JR., E(-3&i+( S(-r(&ar, ON. /!ORENCIO B. ABA, S(-r(&ar,(par&)(n& o% B35(& an Mana5()(n&, ON. ENRIUE T. ONA, S(-r(&ar, (par&)(n& o% (al&', ON. ARMIN A. !UISTRO, S(-r(&ar, (par&)(n& o% E3-a&ion an ON. MANUE! A.RO6AS II, S(-r(&ar, (par&)(n& o% In&(rior an !o-al Go+(rn)(n&, Respondents.

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G.R. No. 20H7

MI!!ENNIUM SAINT /OUNATION, INC., ATT#. RAMON PEROSA, ATT#. CITA BORROMEO$GARCIA, STE!!AACEERA, ATT#. BERTENI CATA!UNA CAUSING, Petitioners,vs.

O//ICE O/ TE PRESIENT, O//ICE O/ TE E6ECUTI"E SECRETAR#, EPARTMENT O/EA!T, EPARTMENT O/ EUCATION, Respondents.

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G.R. No. 20D111

JON A!TER B. JUAT, MAR# M. IMBONG, ANTON# "ICTORIO B. !UMICAO, JOSEPMARTIN . "EREJO, ANTONIA EMMA R. RO6AS an !OTA !AT$GUERRERO, Petitioners,vs.ON. PAUITO N. OCOA, JR., E(-3&i+( S(-r(&ar, ON. /!ORENCIO ABA, S(-r(&ar,(par&)(n& o% B35(& an Mana5()(n&, ON. ENRIUE T. ONA, S(-r(&ar, (par&)(n& o%

(al&', ON. ARMIN A. !UISTRO, S(-r(&ar, (par&)(n& o% E3-a&ion, C3l&3r( an Spor&*an ON. MANUE! A. RO6AS II, S(-r(&ar, (par&)(n& o% In&(rior an !o-alGo+(rn)(n&, Respondents.

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G.R. No. 20D1D2

COUP!ES /OR CRIST /OUNATION, INC., SPOUSES JUAN CAR!OS ARTAI SARMIENTOAN /RANCESCA ISABE!!E BESINGA$SARMIENTO, AN SPOUSES !UIS /RANCIS A.RORIGO, JR. an EBORA MARIE "ERONICA N. RORIGO, Petitioners,vs.ON. PAUITO N. OCOA, JR., E(-3&i+( S(-r(&ar, ON. /!ORENCIO B. ABA, S(-r(&ar,(par&)(n& o% B35(& an Mana5()(n&, ON. ENRIUE T. ONA, S(-r(&ar, (par&)(n& o% (al&', ON. ARMIN A. !UISTRO, S(-r(&ar, (par&)(n& o% E3-a&ion, C3l&3r( an Spor&*an ON. MANUE!A. RO6AS II, S(-r(&ar, (par&)(n& o% In&(rior an !o-alGo+(rn)(n&, Respondents.

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G.R. No. 20DH7


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A!MARIM CENTI TI!!A an ABU!USSEIN M. ASIM, Petitioners,vs.ON. PAUITO N. OCOA, JR., E(-3&i+( S(-r(&ar, ON. ENRIUE T. ONA, S(-r(&ar o% &'((par&)(n& o% (al&', an ON. ARMIN A. !UISTRO,S(-r(&ar o% &'( (par&)(n& o% B35(&an Mana5()(n&,Respondents.

OPIN#ONG SUMASANG$A#ON AT SUMASA!UNGAT

Paunang alita

a herar!iya ng "ga !arapatang pantao, #alang hihigit pa sa !arapatang "abuhay, at nasasala"inng ating aligang Batas ang ganitong panini#ala. Ayon dito, pantay na pangangalagaan ngpa"ahalaan ang buhay ng ina at ang buhay na !anyang dinadala. $

Ba!as sa adhi!aing ito ang pag!ilal a sa "ala!ing bahaging ginaga"panan ng ina sa pagbibigay ngbuhay.

%aya&t sasalungatin !o ang big!asin ng a!ing "ga !apatid na 'ahistrado, na ang pagpapalaya sa

pasiya ng "ay-!ata#an ay !u"i!itil ng buhay ng !ap#a-taong isisilang pa la"ang. (ala sa ta!da ngaligang Batas at Repub lic Act No. $)*+ he Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive /ealth

Act of 0)$01, o R/ 2a#, ang pag!itil ng buhay. Nguni&t inuuna#a rin nito ang !arapatan ng "ag-asa#a na "agpala!i ng !anilang pa"ilya ng "ay dangal sa buhay. Napa!ahalaga din sa panana#ng aligang Batas at ng R/ 2a# ang !alusugan ng pa"ayanan, lalong-lalo na ang !alusugan ng"ga ina o "agiging ina ng pa"ayanang ito. %aya&t "ahalaga na ang ba#at interpretasyon ng R/2a# ay ayon sa i!abubuti ng pa"ilyang Pilipino at !alusugan ng ina.

Naita!da na sa aligang Batas, at alinsunod na"an dito ang R/ 2a#, na ang buhay aypangangalagaan "ula sa conception. %ung ano ang puntong iyon ay !atanungan para sa "gadalubhasa ng siyensiya, at hindi para sa %orte upre"a. 'ayroong prosesong naita!da ang R/2a# !ung saan !ini!ilala ang pangunahing !apangyarihan ng 3ood and 4rug Ad"inistration 34A1

sa pagsusuri sa "ga !atangian ng isang "etodo o ga"ot upang ala"in !ung ito ay gaga"itin sapag!itil ng buhay na pinagbaba#al ng aligang Batas. 'aaari la"ang sa!la#an ng %orte upre"aang tanong na ito !ung ang prosesong legal ay lu"abag sa "ga alituntunin ng due process at "ga!aa!ibat na procedural rules nito. u!dulang panghihi"aso! ang "agta!da !a"i sa panahong ito!ung ang "ga hor"onal contraceptives ay abortifacient o hindi.

5ayundin, ang "ay-!ata#an na daraan sa paglilihi, pagbubuntis at "aaaring i!apeligro ng sarilingbuhay ay nararapat na pa!inggan ng pa"ahalaan. 'aaaring i"ung!ahi ng !apa"ilya, !asa"a nang !anyang asa#a, ang alte"atibong paraan upang harapin ang sit#asyong pang!alusugan. Nguni&tsa bandang huli, ang pasiya ng "ay-!ata#an ang dapat "anaig. At baga"a&t ang "ay-!ata#an ay#ala pa sa hustong gulang, !ung siya ay nabuntis na, hindi dapat hadlangan ang !anyang!a!ayahang hu"ingi ng tulong u!ol sa reproductive health !ahit #alang pahintulot ng !anyang"agulang sapag!a&t na!asalalay sa ganitong !a!ayahan ang !anyang !alusugan at "is"ong buhay.

a panig ng "ga "atataas na nanunung!ulan sa pa"ahalaan na inatasang "agpatupad ng R/2a#, hindi nararapat na sila ay hayaang lu"abag sa !atung!ulang ito. Binigyan sila ng!apangyarihan ng pa"ahalaan upang ipatupad ang "ga batas, at hindi nila "aaaring ga"itin angnasabing !apangyarihan upang biguin ang "ga nilalayon ng pa"ahalaan para sa "ga"a"a"ayan, lalo na&t ang "ga layuning ito ay !augnay sa usaping pang!alusugan.

inusuportahan ng R/ 2a# ang pagsulong at pangangalaga sa !arapatan ng !ababaihan. Angpag!a!aloob ng "abisa at "ahusay na reproductive health care services ay ayon sa layunin nitong

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"asiguro ang !alusugan ng "ag-ina, at "a!apagtatag ng sapat na pa"antayan alang-alang sa!apa!anan ng lahat.

/indi "ai!a!aila na ang paulit-ulit na pagbanggit sa "ga !atagang 6"edically-safe, non-abortifacient, effective, legal, affordable and 7uality reproductive health care services, "ethods,devices and supplies6 sa R/ 2a# ay di-pang!arani#ang pagpapahalaga sa buhay ng tao at ang

sadyang pag#a#a!si sa abortion bilang isang !ri"en na "ay !ara"patang parusa ayon sa atingbatas.

Ang Pasanin ng Petitioners

Pinapalagay bilang isang paunang pag-una#a, na ang lahat ng batas ay hindi labag sa aligangBatas o !onstitusyonal.0 8to ay pangunahing prinsipyo na "atagal nang !ini!ilala, !ung !aya&tinii#asan ng %orte upre"a na ipa#alang-bisa ang isang batas * bilang pag!ilala sa dunong, dangalat !abayanihan ng %ongreso na gu"a#a nito, at sa Pangulo na nagpatibay dito. Ang tung!uling"agpatupad ng aligang Batas ay hindi natatangi sa %orte upre"a9 ito ay !aa!ibat na !atung!ulanng %ongreso at ng Pangulo.+

4ahil ang lahat ng batas ay ipinapalagay na !onstitusyonal, ang sinu"an na dudulog sa %orteupre"a upang ipa#alang-bisa ito ay "abigat ang susuungin. 8papa#alang-bisa la"ang ng %orteupre"a ang isang batas o bahagi nito !ung "alina# na "aipa!i!ita ng petitioner ang paglabag nitosa aligang Batas.: %ina!ailangang "alina# at totohanan ang "ga batayan sa pagpapa#alang-bisang batas, at hindi "aaaring ang "ga ito ay ha!a-ha!a la"ang. ; a!a la"ang ipapa#alang-bisa ng%orte upre"a ang isang batas !ung "alina# na naipa!ita ang pag"a"alabis at pagsalungat ng%ongreso sa ating aligang Batas.<

Ang Pasiya ng 'ayorya

Ayon sa 4ecision, ang R/ 2a# ay !onstitusyonal "aliban na la"ang sa "ga su"usunod na bahaginito=

$. ection ;,> at ang !au!ulang bahagi nito sa 8"ple"enting Rules and Regulations 8RR1 ngR/ 2a#, sa dahilang ito ay= a1 nag-uutos sa "ga non-"aternity specialty hospitals at "gaospital na pag"a"ay-ari o pinatata!bo ng "ga religious group na agarang ituro sapina!a"alapit na health facility ang "ga pasyenteng #ala sa e"ergency condition o hindiserious case, ayon sa R.A.


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. ection 0*a101ii1$; sa dahilang pinarurusahan nito ang health care service provider nahihingi ng pahintulot ng "agulang bago "agsaga#a ng reproductive health procedure sa"enor de edad na #ala sa e"ergency condition o hindi serious case9

+. ection 0*a1*1,$


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po#erful ones until they are destroyed. 8n deter"ining #hich shall prevail bet#een the state&sinterest and religious liberty, reasonableness shall be the guide. he 6co"pelling state interest6serves the purpose of revering religious liberty #hile at the sa"e ti"e affording protection to thepara"ount interests of the state.0; E"phasis ours1

5ina"it ang co"pelling state interest test sa Estrada v. Escritor upang "ala"an !ung ang

respondent doon ay nararapat na bigyan ng exe"ption laban sa !asong ad"inistratibo bunga ngpa!i!isa"a niya sa lala!ing hindi niya asa#a ayon sa Civil Code. %arani#an, bilang !a#ani ngpa"ahalaan, "ahaharap ang respondent sa !asong disgraceful and i""oral conduct. Bag!us,inilahad ng respondent na baga"a&t #alang basbas ng pa"ahalaang sibil ang !anilang pagsasa"a,"ay basbas na"an ito ng !anilang relihiyon na ehovah&s (itnesses and the (atch o#er and Bibleract ociety. %aya&t hindi siya nararapat na sa"pahan ng !asong ad"inistratibo bunga nito.

a !adahilanang a"inado na"an ang olicitor 5eneral na tunay at tapat ang panini#ala ngrespondent sa !aniyang relihiyon, at nagdudulot ng ligalig sa !anyang panini#ala ang banta ngdisciplinary action bunga ng !asong disgraceful and i""oral conduct, nagpasiya ang %orteupre"a na nararapat na patunayan ng pa"ahalaan !ung tunay nga na "ay co"pelling secular ob?ective na nagbunsod dito upang hindi payagan ang pa!i!isa"a ng respondent sa lala!ing hindi

niya asa#a. Nararapat din, ayon sa %orte upre"a, na ipa!ita ng pa"ahalaan na gu"a"it ito ngleast restrictive "eans sa pagpigil ng !arapatan ng "ga tao sa pagtatanggol nito ng co"pellingstate interest.

!ol dito, inihayag ng %orte upre"a na 6the govern"ent "ust do "ore than assert the ob?ectivesat ris! if exe"ption is given, it "ust precisely sho# ho# and to #hat extent those ob?ectives #ill beunder"ined if exe"ptions are granted.60


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groups. a !abilang banda, pinahahalagahan sa ilali" ng ection 0*a1*1 ng R/ 2a# angconscientious ob?ection ng health care service providers batay sa !anilang ethical o religious beliefs.

Ayon dito, exe"pted sila sa !aparusahan na ipapata# sa "ga tatangging "agdulot ng reproductivehealth care services at "agbigay ng "ahalagang !aala"an u!ol dito .

a"a!atu#id, hindi na nararapat na ga"itin pa ang co"pelling state interest test upang "atiya! ang

legalidad ng R/ 2a#. 'atatandaang sa ilali" ng co"pelling state interest test, !ai langang ipa!itang pa"ahalaan !ung paano "a#a#alan ng saysay ang "ga layunin nito sa pagbuo ng R/ 2a#!ung "agbibigay ito ng exe"ptions sa "ga itinata!da ng batas. Nguni&t dahil !inilala na ng R/ 2a#ang religious freedo" ng "ga conscientious ob?ectors sa pa"a"agitan ng exe"ption na na!a-u!itna dito, #ala na sa pa"ahalaan ang pasanin upang ipagtanggol ang interes nito sa pagsisi!ap na"apangalagaan ang reproductive health ng "ga "a"a"ayan.

Naging sensitibo ang %ongreso sa panini#ala ng "ga conscientious ob?ectors sa pa"a"agitan ngpaglalatag ng exe"ptions sa R/ 2a#. a puntong ito, !ung !a!ailanganin pa ng %ongreso napatunayan ang co"pelling state interest, "a#a#alan ng saysay ang respeto sa isa&t isa na iniaatasng ating aligang Batas sa "ga "agigiting na sangay ng pa"ahalaan.

Ang agarang pagturo na la"ang sa pina!a"alapit na health facility o health care service provider sa"ga pasyenteng naghahangad ng serbisyo u!ol sa "odern fa"ily planning "ethods ang nalalabing!atung!ulan ng "ga conscientious ob?ectors, ng "ga non-"aternity specialty hospitals, at "gaospital na pag"a"ay-ari at pinatata!bo ng "ga religious groups. 8to ay upang "ala"an ngpasyente !ung saan siya tutungo at upang hindi na"an sila "apag!aitan ng serbisyong inihahandogng pa"ahalaan para "apangalagaan ang !anilang reproductive health.

Ayon sa olicitor 5eneral=

;. he duty to refer, as an 6opt out6 clause, is a carefully balanced co"pro"ise bet#een, on onehand, the interests of the religious ob?ector #ho is allo#ed to !eep silent but is re7uired to refer and,on the other, the citiDen #ho needs access to infor"ation and #ho has the right to expect that thehealth care professional in front of her #ill act professionally. he concession given by the tateunder ection ; and 0*a1*1 is sufficient acco""odation to the right to freely exercise one&s religion#ithout unnecessarily infringing on the rights of others.0>

Aya# "agpadala ng "ga petitioners. 5iit nila, labag pa rin sa !anilang religious freedo" ang pag-aatas ng duty to refer. ang-ayon dito ang 4ecision at nagsaad ito na ang opt-out clause ay isang6false co"pro"ise because it "a!es pro-life health providers co"plicit in the perfor"ance of an actthat they find "orally repugnant or offensive. 6*)

Ayon sa paninindigang ito, ang pagturo sa pasyente sa ibang pina!a"alapit na health facility ohealth care service provider na "a!atutulong sa !anila ay !ahalintulad na !aagad ng contraception,ang bagay na !anilang itinuturing na li!as na "asa"a. otoo na"an na "aaaring puntahan nga ngpasyente ang itinurong health facility o health care service provider at doon ay "a!a!uha ito ng

serbisyo u!ol sa "odern fa"ily planning "ethods na "a!asalanan sa paningin ng conscientiousob?ector. Nguni&t bunga la"ang ng pagsasanib ng napa!ara"ing posibilidad ang resultang ito.

'aaaring "agpasiya ang pasyente na hindi na lang !u"unsulta, o !aya ay pu"unta ito sa healthfacility o health care service provider na iba sa itinuro sa !anya ng conscientious ob?ector. 'aaariding "agpayo ang naiturong health facility o health care service provider na hindi hiyang o nararapatsa pasyente ang "odern fa"ily planning "ethods dahil sa !undisyon ng !anyang pangangata#an.'aaaring pag!atapos ng lahat ng pagpapayo, pagpapatingin at paghahanda u!ol sa gaga#ing

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"odern fa"ily planning "ethod o procedure ay "agpasiya ang pasyente na hu#ag na lang ituloyang lahat ng ito.

8sa la"ang sa "ara"ing posibilidad ang !inatata!utang resulta ng "ga petitioners, at gayunpa"an,hindi huling ha!bang na "aghahatid sa pasyente tungo sa contraception ang pagtuturo sa ibanghealth facility o health care service provider.

Ayon sa 4ecision, #alang idinudulot na paglabag sa religious freedo" ang pag-uutos sa "gai!a!asal na du"alo sa "ga se"inar u!ol sa responsible parenthood, fa"ily planning, breastfeedingat infant nutrition dahil hindi na"an sila obligadong su"unod sa "ga ituturo dito. /indi rin "asa"aang pagbibigay-daan na "abigyan ng "ahalagang !aala"an tung!ol sa fa"ily planning servicesang "ga "enor de edad na "ay ana! o nag!aroon ng "iscarriage para "atutunan nila ang "gabagay na "a!atutulong sa !anila upang pangalagaan ang !anilang !ata#an at ana! o dinadala.%ung gayon, at !ahalintulad ng nasabing sit#asyon, #ala rin dapat pagtutol sa atas ng R/ 2a# naituro ng "ga conscientious ob?ector ang "ga pasyente sa pina!a"alapit na health facility o healthcare service provider na "a!atutulong sa !anila.

Ang pagpapahalaga sa infor"ed choice ng "ga Pilipino pagdating sa usapin ng reproductive health

ang pundasyon ng R/ 2a#. 'ananatili ang pagpapasiya sa pasyente9 hinihiling la"ang na hu#aghadlangan ng conscientious ob?ectors ang !anilang daan tungo sa pagga#a ng "asusingpagpapasiya.

%ini!ilala ng 8nternational Covenant on Civil and Political Rights na ang religious freedo" ay "aaariding "apasailali" sa "ga 6li"itations ... prescribed by la# and ... necessary to protect public safety,order, health, or "orals or the funda"ental rights and freedo"s of others.6 *$ Bu!od dito, hindi rin"ai!a!aila na "aaaring ipagba#al ng pa"ahalaan ang isang ga#ain !ahit alinsunod pa ito sareligious convictions !ung ito ay labag sa 6i"portant social duties or subversive of good order.6*0

a !anilang pagpaso! sa propesyon, tinanggap ng "ga "edical professionals ang "ga "oralvalues at !aa!ibat na !atung!ulan sa "ga pasyente. ** 8sa di to ang napapanahong duty to refer saibang health facility o health care service provider !ung batid nila na dahi l sa !anilang religiousbeliefs, hindi nila "aaaring ihatid ang serbisyong hinihingi o !ina!ailangan ng pasyente. * pang"apanatili ang ethical practice, hinihi!ayat ng "ga pantas ang "ga conscientious ob?ectors na"agling!od !alapit ang ibang "edical professionals na hindi conscientious ob?ectors upang "aayosna "apanatili ang isang referral syste" para "asigurado na "aibibigay sa pasyente ang "gapangangailangan nitong hindi !ayang tugunan ng conscientious ob?ector.*+ 'ahalaga ito upang"asiguro na tuloy-tuloy ang serbisyong pang!alusugan para sa "ga taong nangangailangan nito.

4ahil dito, hindi "aituturing na dagdag pasanin ng "edical professionals ang duty to refer sa ilali"ng R/ 2a#. 2i!as na ito sa !anilang propesyon. a !atunayan, nasa !apangyarihan ng %ongresoang "aglatag ng "ga alituntunin at dagdag na pasanin sa propesyon ng "edisina ayon sa policepo#er nito upang isulong ang public health. At, inuuna#a ng R/ 2a# na dahil sa religiousconvictions, hindi "aaaring isaga#a ng isang "edical professional ang serbisyo u!ol sa "odern

fa"ily planning "ethods !ahit hinihingi pa ng pasyente. 4ahil dito, pinapayagan sila na tu"anggi ngpasyente at papuntahin ito sa ibang "edical professional na "a!atutulong di to.

%ung tutuusin, "aituturing na paglabag sa sinu"paang tung!ulin ng "ga "edical professionals angpagtangging "agturo ng pasyente sa ibang "edical professional. 'aaari itong "aging basehan ngdisciplinary action laban sa !anila. Ayon sa isang lathalain, dahil ang "ga "edical professionals aynapapaloob sa isang "onopoly sa paghahatid ng serbisyong pang!alusugan, ang ilan sa !anila na"as pinahahalagahan ang !anilang religious interests nang #alang pa!undangan sa !apa!anan ng!anilang pasyente ay nababalot sa isang "atinding conflict of interest.*: %ilala ang da!ilang

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propesyong ito sa pagpapa!asa!it para sa i!abubuti ng ibang tao, *; !aya na"an ang pagtanggi !ahitsa pagtuturo na la"ang sa ibang health facility o health care service provider ay "aituturing napag!ait ng serbisyong pang!alusugan sa "ga pasyente.

pang "abigyan ng !atu"bas na prote!syon ang !arapatan ng "ga pasyente sa tuloy-tuloy naserbisyong pang!alusugan, "inabuti ng %ongreso na pata#an ng parusa ang "ga conscientious

ob?ectors na tatangging tuparin "an la"ang ang duty to refer. lpinata# ang parusa upang "asigurona hindi na"an "agaga"it ng conscientious "edical professionals ang exe"ption na ipinag!aloobsa !anila upang ipata# ang !anilang religious beliefs sa !anilang "ga pasyente. Pinaiiral ito ngprinsipyong ang !arapatan ng "alayang pagsa"ba at pagpapahayag ng relihiyon aynangangahulugan na #alang !arapatan ang sinu"an na "ang-api sa panini#alang hindi ayon sa!anila.

a puntong ito, nais !ong lina#in na ipinagbaba#al ng ection 0*a1l1 ang pag!a!ait ng"ahalagang !aala"an, pagbaba#al sa pagpapalaganap nito o sadyaang pagbibigay ng "alingi"por"asyon !augnay ng "ga progra"a at serbisyo u!ol sa reproductive health, !arapatan ng lahatsa infor"ed choice at ang paggarantiya ng pa"ahalaan sa ligtas, "abisa, abot-!aya, de-!alidad,naaayon sa batas at hindi abortifacient na fa"ily planning "ethods.

a !abilang banda, ipinagbaba#al na"an ng ection 0*a101 ang pagtangging "agsaga#a ngligtas at naaayon sa batas na reproductive health procedures dahil la"ang sa ang taongnaghahangad nito, baga"a&t nasa hustong edad, ay hindi "a!apagpa!ita ng pahintulot ng !anyangasa#a o "agulang. /indi nito ipinagbaba#al ang pagtangging "agsaga#a ng reproductive healthprocedures dahil sa !anilang religious beliefs.

Ang "ga health care service providers na tinutu!oy sa ection 0*a1l1 at ection 0*a101 ay hindiang "ga conscientious ob?ectors. %ung conscientious ob?ector ang isang health care serviceprovider, "aaari na siyang tu"anggi sa unang pag!a!ataon pa la"ang, at #ala na siyangoportunidad para "agbigay ng "aling i"por"asyon !augnay ng "ga progra"a at serbisyo u!ol sareproductive health dahil tinanggihan na niya ang pasyente. 5ayundin, #ala nang oportunidad ang"ga conscientious ob?ectors na tu"angging "agsaga#a ng ligtas at naaayon sa batas na

reproductive health procedures sa isang "ay-asa#a o "enor de edad dahil sa !a!ulangan ngpahintulot ng asa#a o "agulang. Paglapit pa la"ang ng pasyente sa !anya na hu"ihingi ngserbisyo u!ol sa reproductive health, "aaari na siyang tu"anggi, at ang pagtangging ito ay dahil sa!anyang religious beliefs, hindi dahil sa !a#alan ng pahintulot.

%ung conscientious ob?ector ang health care service provider, "apapasailali" siya sa ection 0*a1*1 na nagsasabing isasaalang-alang at irerespeto ang !anilang ethical o religious beliefs. Ayon dito,baga"a&t "aaaring parusahan ang iba !ung sila ay tatangging "agsaga#a ng de-!alidad na healthcare services o tatangging "agbigay ng "ahalagang !aala"an u!ol dito, pinapayagan ang "gaconscientious ob?ector na tu"anggi !ung #ala sa e"ergency condition o hindi serious case angpasyente. /indi parurusahan ng batas ang "ga conscientious ob?ector na tu"anggi, at !abilang itosa exe"ption na inilatag ng R/ 2a# para sa !anila.

a gayon, "alina# ang legislative intent ng %ongreso na hindi "apapasailali" ang "gaconscientious ob?ector sa ection 0*a1l1 at ection 0*a101. 'aaari nang tu"anggi sa pasyenteng#ala sa e"ergency condition o hindi serious case sa unang pag!a!ataon pa la"ang ang sinu"anghealth care service provider, pribado o pa"publi!o, na tu"ututol sa paghahatid at pagsasaga#a ngreproductive health services at procedures at pagbibigay ng "ahalagang !aala"an u!ol dito dahilsa !anilang religious beliefs.

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Nguni&t, !ala!ip ng !arapatan ng pagtanggi ng "ga conscientious ob?ector ang !atung!ulang ituroang "ga pasyenteng #ala sa e"ergency condition o hindi serious case sa ibang pina!a"alapit nahealth facility !ung saan nila "a!u!uha ang serbisyo at "ahalagang !aala"an u!ol sa reproductivehealth na ninanais nila.

34A Certification sa ection >

Ayon sa 4ecision, 6e"pty as it is absurd6**> ng R/ 2a# na nag-uutos na "a!u!uha la"ang sa !ondisyong hindi gaga"itin bilang abortifacientang "ga produ!to na !asa"a o isasa"a sa essential drugs list E421. Ayon sa !anila, hindi na"an"aaaring naroroon ang 34A upang "aglabas ng certification u!ol dito sa tu#ing ipa"a"ahagi angcontraceptive. a halip, i"inung!ahi na baguhin ang pag!a!asulat ng pangungusap upang lina#inna #alang !ahit anong abortifacient na isasa"a o "aisasa"a sa E42.

Noong oral argu"ents, nilina# ni A ssociate ustice 'ariano C. 4el Castillo ang bagay na ito saolicitor 5eneral, parti!ular na sa paraan !ung paano "asisiguro ng pa"ahalaan na hindi gaga"itinbilang abortifacient ang "ga produ!to sa E42=

8CE 4E2 CA822=

ust one 7uestion, Counsel. he R/ 2a# allo#s the availability of these contraceptives providedthey #ill not be used as an abortifacient.

2. 5EN. AR4E2EA=

Fes, Four /onor.

8CE 4E2 CA822=

o there&s a possibility that these contraceptives, these drugs and devices "ay be used as an

abortifacientG

2. 5EN. AR4E2EA=

No, Four /onor, there #ill be HsicI not be a possibility. After you have the 34A certifying that ...interrupted1

8CE 4E2 CA822=

Fes, but #hy does the la# still HsayI that, 6 ... provided that they #ill not be used as an abortifacientHGI6

2. 5EN. AR4E2EA=

he context of that, Four /onor, is that, there are certain drugs #hich are abortifacients.

8CE 4E2 CA822=

o ho# then can . .. ho# can a govern"ent "a!e sure that these drugs #ill not be used as anabortifacientG

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2. 5EN. AR4E2EA=

o the best of "y understanding, Four /onor, for exa"ple, a #o"an #ho is pregnant and then thedoctor says there is no "ore fetal heartbeat then the unborn or the fe tus is dead. he doctor #illhave to induce abortion. o"eti"es you do this by curettage, #hich 8 thin!, incision. But "any ti"esthere are drugs that are abortifacient9 they are life-saving because then you bring the #o"an to a

health center, the baby is dead, you induce abortion, the doctors can correct "e, once that drug, 8thin!, is called oxytoxin. o any hospital has oxytoxin in its phar"acy because you need that as alife-saving drug. hat is the context of that provision #hich says, 6 ... should not be used as anabortifacient.6 'eaning, ?ust li!e restricted drugs, oxytoxin #ill only be used in a hospital to be usedfor therapeutic abortion, that 8 believe, Four /onor, is the "eaning of that, 6 ... cannot be used as anabortifacient.6 'eaning, the National 4rug 3or"ulary contains oxytoxin, 8 believe, today but that is tobe used under certain very very restrictive conditions, that&s the "eaning of 6 ... should not be usedas an abortifacient.6 'eaning, a #o"an #ho is healthy in the pregnancy cannot go to a doctor andthe doctor #ill say, 6Fou #ant an abortion, 8&ll give you oxytoxin6, that cannot be done, Four /onor9that&s "y understanding.

8CE 4E2 CA822=

o #hen there&s only a choice bet#een the life of the "other and the life of the child.

2. 5EN. AR4E2EA=

Fes, that&s "y understanding. he best exa"ple is the, the "onitor sho#s there is no "ore fetalheartbeat. 8f you don&t induce abortion, the "other #ill die.

8CE 4E2 CA822=

han! you, counsel.) E"phases supplied1

a gayon, "aaaring isa"a ng 34A ang ilang "aaaring ga"iting abortifacients, tulad ng oxytoxin, saNational 4rug 3or"ulary dahil ang "ga ito ay ginaga"it upang "ailabas ang patay na sanggol "ulasa sinapupunan ng ina. 5inaga#a ito upang "ailigtas ang buhay ng ina na "aaaring "a"eligrobunga ng i"pe!siyon !ung hahayaang nasa loob ang patay na sanggol. Nagpapahi#atig la"angang huling pangungusap sa unang talata ng ection > ng legislative intent na !ahit "ay "gaabortifacients na isasa"a sa E42, ipinagbaba#al na ga"itin ang "ga ito bilang abortifacient, oparaan upang "apatay ang "alusog na sanggol sa sinapupunan.

Pahintulot ng Asa#a

'ayroong pangunahing !arapatan, at pangangailangan, ang lahat ng tao sa sariling pagpapasiya.Biniyayaan ng !aisipan ang lahat ng tao upang "alayang "aipahayag ang !anyang saloobin,

"a!abuo ng sariling panana# at "a!apagpasiya para sa !anyang !inabu!asan.

a ilali" ng ating aligang Batas, pinangangalagaan ng due process clause ang garantiya ng!alayaan sa ba#at Pilipino. Nagsasabi ito na #alang sinu"an ang "aaaring ba#ian ng buhay,!alayaan at ari-arian nang hindi ayon sa paraang inilatag sa batas. Panangga ng "ga "a"a"ayanang due process clause sa hindi "a!atu#irang pa"a"ala!ad at pagsa"sa" ng pa"ahalaan.5ayunpa"an, 6HtIhe 4ue Process Clause guarantees "ore than fair process, and the &liberty& itprotects includes "ore than the absence of physical restraint.6 $ Nagtata!da ang due process clauseng li"itasyon sa !apangyarihan ng pa"ahalaan pagdating sa "ga !arapatan ng



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"a"a"ayan.0Bu!od sa "ga !arapatang ginagarantiya ng Bill of Rights, sa!la# ng due processclause ang lahat ng bahagi ng buhay ng tao. %abilang na rito ang !arapatan ng sarilingpagpapasiya.

'ay na!apagsabi na 6HnIo right is held "ore sacred, or is "ore carefully guarded by the co""onla#, than the right of every individual to the possession and control of his o#n person, free fro" all

restraint or interference of others, unless by clear and un7uestionable authority of la#. 6* a!atunayan, 6HeIvery hu"an being of adult years and sound "ind has a right to deter"ine #hat shallbe done #ith his o#n body.6

Ayon sa 4ecision, isang pribadong pa!sa na dapat tala!ayin ng "ag-asa#a ang desisyon sa usapinng reproductive health, at hindi "aaaring "apunta la"ang sa asa#ang sasailali" dito angpagpapasiya. /inay-hinay tayo. /indi na"an ipinagbaba#al ng R/ 2a# ang pagsanib ng pasiya ng"ag-asa#a !aya&t hindi dapat sabihin na na!apaninira ng pagsasa"ahan ng "ag-asa#a ang!arapatan ng "ay-!ata#an na "agpasiya u!ol sa reproductive health. Nguni&t sa panahon ng di-pag!a!asundo ng pasiya, #alang ibang "a!atu#irang sit#asyon !undi !ilalanin ang !arapatan ngtaong "ay-!ata#an na "agpasiya.+ /indi na#a#alan ng !arapatan ang tao dahil la"ang sa pag-aasa#a. /angga&t hindi ito labag sa batas, "ay !alayaan ang ba#at isa na ga#in ang !anyang nais

at "agpasiya ayon sa "a!abubuti para sa !anyang sarili. /indi isinusu!o sa asa#a sa oras ng !asalang pagpapasiya u!ol sa sariling !ata#an. %ung hindi, bubu#agin nito ang prinsipyo sa li!od ngbatas laban sa violence against #o"en.

a ilali" ng R/ 2a#, ihahandog sa lahat ang "ahalagang i"por"asyon u!ol sa "odern fa"ilyplanning "ethods. 8pinapalagay din na paglili"ian ng asa#ang sasailali" sa procedure ang "ga"agiging epe!to nito sa !anya at sa !anyang "ahal sa buhay. %ung "agdesisyon siya nasu"ailali" sa napiling reproductive health procedure, hindi ito dapat hadlangan ng sinu"an. Bahagipa rin ito ng infor"ed consent na pundasyon ng R/ 2a#.

(alang anu"ang na!asulat sa R/ 2a# na nag-aalis sa "ag-asa#a ng !anilang !arapatang bu"uong pa"ilya. a !atunayan, tinitiya! nito na ang "ga "aralita na nagnanais "ag!aroon ng ana! ay"a!i!inabang sa "ga payo, !aga"itan at nararapat na procedures para "atulungan silang "aglihi

at "apara"i ang "ga ana!. (alang anu"ang na!asulat sa batas na nagpapahintulot sapa"ahalaan na "anghi"aso! sa pagpapasiya 6HthatI belongs exclusively to, and JisI shared by, bothspouses as one cohesive unit as they chart their o#n destiny.6 : (alang anu"ang na!asulat sa R/2a# na hu"ahadlang sa pagsali ng asa#a sa pagti"bang ng "ga pagpipiliang "odern fa"ilyplanning "ethods, at pagpapasiya !ung ano ang pina!a"abuti para sa !anyang asa#a. %ung "ayepe!to "an ang R/ 2a#, ito ay ang pagpapatibay ng "a!atotohanang sanggunian sa pagitan ng"ag-asa#ang pantay na "agpapasiya u!ol sa isang bagay na "agtata!da ng !anilang!inabu!asan.

a pa"a"agitan ng pagpapahalaga sa pangunahing pasiya ng asa#ang sasailali" sa reproductivehealth procedure, pinaiigting la"ang ng R/ 2a# ang pangangalaga sa pangunahing !arapatan ngba#at tao na "agpasiya u!ol sa !anyang sariling !ata#an. a pa"a"agitan din nito, naglalatag ang

R/ 2a# ng prote!siyon para sa "ga "edical professionals laban sa "ga asunto at panliligaligbunga ng pag!u#estiyon o pagha"on !ung ba!it nila isinaga#a ang reproductive health proceduresa !abila ng !a#alan ng pahintulot ng asa#a.

Pahintulot ng 'agulang

8tinuturing din ng 4ecision na 6HeI7ually deplorable6 ; ang bahagi ng R/ 2a# na nagbibigay-daan sa"ga "enor de edad na "ay ana! o nag!aroon ng "iscarriage na "a!inabang sa "odern fa"ilyplanning "ethods !ahit #alang pahintulot ang !anilang "ga "agulang. Ayon dito, pinuputol ng

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ection ; ang parental authority sa "ga "enor de edad 6?ust because there is a need to ta"epopulation gro#th.6<

/indi ang!op na "anghi"aso! ang %orte upre"a sa !atanungan !ung ang R/ 2a# ay isangpopulation control "easure sapag!a&t ang %ongreso la"ang ang "a!asasagot sa tanong !ung anoang nag-udyo! dito sa pagbuo ng nasabing batas. Ang tanging dapat pagtuunan ng pansin ng %orte

upre"a ay !ung ang batas at ang "ga nilala"an nito ay alinsunod sa itinata!da ng aligangBatas. 'asasabi nating ispe!ulasyon la"ang ang paghusga sa hangarin ng %ongreso na handaitong sirain ang parental authority upang isulong la"ang ang population control. Pasintabi po, hindi"aaaring ganito ang tono ng %orte upre"a patungo sa %ongreso.

%ini!ilala ng R/ 2a# na hindi la"ang edad ng isang tao ang tanging palatandaan upang"ahandugan ng fa "ily planning services. Batid nito ang pang!asalu!uyang sit#asyon ngpaglaganap ng "aagang pag!a"ulat at pagsubo! ng "ga !abataan sa !anilang se!s#alidad.Nangangailangan ding "abigyan ng !aala"an, at !ung !ina!ailangan, "ahandugan ng "odernfa"ily planning services !ung ito ay !anilang gugustuhin, ang "ga "enor de edad na nangana! onag!aroon ng "iscarriage . Bilang isang ha!bang sa pangangalaga ng pang!alahatang !alusugan,ang pagbibigay ng "odern fa" ily planning services sa "ga "enor de edad na ito ay daan upang

"auna#aan nila ang "ga !ahihinatnan at !au!ulang pananagutan ng pagiging isang "agulang,gayong nabuntis na sila, pati na ang pagbuo ng pa"ilya.

/indi a!"a ang antas ng pagpapahalaga sa parental authority ng 4ecision, na sa panga"ba ng 4ecision ay "a#a#ala dahil la"ang sa pa!inabang ng "enor de edad sa fa"ily planning servicesnang #alang pahintulot ng !anilang "agulang.

6HPIarental authority and responsibility include the caring for and rearing of une"ancipated childrenfor civic consciousness and efficiency and the develop"ent of their "oral, "ental and physicalcharacter and #ell-being.6>Pinag-uu!ulan ng ilang !arapatan at tung!ulin ang "ga "agulang!augnay sa !anilang "ga ana! na #ala pa sa ta"ang gulang. +) 'aaaring tali!uran o ilipat angparental authority at responsibility ayon la"ang sa "ga hali"ba#ang na!asaad sabatas.+$ 'abibinbin o "apuputol ito ayon la"ang sa "ga sit#asyong na!asaad sa 3a"ily Code.+0

(alang anu"ang na!asulat sa R/ 2a# na nagsasabing napuputol ang parental authority !apag ang"enor de edad ay "ay ana! na o nag!aroon ng "iscarriage. /indi nito dinadagdagan ang "gahali"ba#ang na!asaad sa 3a"ily Code u!ol sa pag!a#ala ng parental authority. (alang anu"angna!asulat sa batas na nagbibigay-!apangyarihan sa pa"ahalaan upang hu"alili sa ina at a"a sapagda"ay at pagtugon sa "ga pangangailangan ng !anilang "ga "enor de edad. %ailan"a&y hindi!aya at hindi "aaaring ga#in ito ng pa"ahalaan, hindi la"ang dahil hindi ito pra!ti!al nguni &t dahil#alang "a!atutu"bas sa inaasahang pag"a"ahal ng "agulang. a ganitong pagsubo! sa buhayng isang "enor de edad, higit lalo niyang !ailangan ang 6co"fort, care, advice and guidance fro"her o#n parents.6+* a ilali" ng R/ 2a#, hindi pinagbaba#alan ang "ga "enor de edad na "ayana! o nag!aroon ng "iscarriage na hu"ingi ng payo sa !anilang "agulang, at hindipinagbaba#alan ang "ga "agulang na "agbigay nito. 8pinapalagay na hangad la"ang ng "ga

"agulang ang "a!abubuti para sa !anilang ana!.

a pagsasabi na hindi !ailangan ang parental consent ng "ga "enor de edad na "ay ana! onag!aroon ng "iscarriage bago "abigyan ang "ga ito ng "odern fa"ily planning services,pinanghihi"asu!an ng pa"ahalaan ang ugnayan sa pagitan ng "enor de edad at ang nilapitannitong "edical health professional. %adalasan, pinag!a!aitan ng reproductive health services ng"ga pribado at pa"publi!ong health professionals ang "ga "enor de edad dahil sa !ai sipang"asyado pa silang "ga bata para "ag!aroon ng !aala"an sa "ga bagay u!ol sa !anilangse!s#alidad. Ang paghingi ng parental consent ang "adalas na dahilan upang tanggihan ang

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ganitong pagsangguni ng "ga !abataan. 'insan nga, hinihiya pa ang "ga ito. Nguni&t !ailangangtandaan na nagdalang-tao na ang "ga "enor de edad na ito, at hindi na "asasabing #ala silang"u#ang pagdating sa "ga bagay na se!s#al.

Bahagi ng R/ 2a# ang paninindigan ng pa"ahalaan na ang "ga !abataan ay active rights holders,at !atung!ulan ng pa"ahalaan na siguraduhin na "atata"asa nila ang !anilang "ga !arapatan

nang #alang dis!ri"inasyon.+pang "apangalagaan ang !arapatan ng "ga !abataan na"ag!aroon ng "ahalagang !aala"an u!ol sa !anilang !alusugan, ipinag-uutos ng R/ 2a# angpagtuturo ng age- and develop"ent-appropriate reproductive health education++ sa lahat ng pribadoat pa"publi!ong paaralan.

Naaayong lina#in na sa!op ng !autusang "agturo ng reproductive health education sa !anilang"ga "ag-aaral ang "ga pribadong paaralan. psyonal ang pagga"it ng curriculu" na bubuuin ng4epart"ent of Education. Ang nasabing curriculu" ay gaga"itin ng "ga pa"publi!ong paaralan at"aaaring ga"itin ng "ga pribadong paaralan.

8to ang paglilina# ni Representative Edcel C. 2ag"an !augnay sa giit ng petitioners na lu"alabagsa e7ual protection clause ng aligang Batas ang R/ 2a# dahil ginaga#a nitong "andatory sa

pa"publi!ong paaralan at opsyonal sa pribadong paaralan ang reproductive health education . Ayonsa !anya=

$*. xx x HAIge and develop"ent appropriate R/ education is "andatory in for"al and non-for"al educational syste" #ithout distinction #hether they are public or private, #hereadolescents are enrolled. Clearly, private schools are not exe"pt fro" affording their adolescent pupilsKstudents H#ithI proper and appropriate R/ education.

$. he difference only pertains to the R/ curriculu" #hich shall be for"ulated by 4epEd#hich 6shall be used by public achools and "ay be adopted by private schools.6

$+. 8f the 4epEd curriculu" is not adopted by private schools, they can for" ulate their o#n

curriculu" sub?ect to the revie# and approval of the 4epEd #hich has ?urisdiction over private schools. Private schools are accorded e7ual flexibility in adopting their o#ncurriculu" after re7uisite consultation as provided " the R/ 2a#.+: E"phases supplied1

Bu!od sa pagbibigay sa !anila ng age- and develop"ent-appropriate reproductive health education,ginaga#aran din ng dagdag na !arapatan ang "ga "enor de edad na "ay ana! o nag!aroon ng"iscarriage na "a!inabang sa "ga reproductive health services na inihahandog ng pa"ahalaan.

%aagad na "auuna#aan ang !atu#iran !ung ba!it "ay dagdag na !arapatan na ibinibigay sa "ga"enor de edad na "ay ana! o nag!aroon ng "iscarriage. %ung ang hindi pa nagbubuntis ay "ay!arapatan sa a!"ang !aala"an, higit na "ay !arapatan ang nagbuntis na. Naglahad angCo""ittee on the Rights of the Child na 6HaLdolescent girls should have access to infor"ation on thehar" that early "arriage and early pregnancy can cause, and those #ho beco"e pregnant should

have access to health services that are sensitive to their rights and particular needs.6 +;Batay sa!arapatan ng "ga !abataan na "alayang "aihayag ang !anilang panana# sa "ga bagay na "ay!inala"an sa !anila, nararapat na isaalang-alang ang !anilang saloobin. +

Public officers at s!illed health professionals

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/indi a!o sang-ayon sa 4ecision na #alang totoong pag!a!aiba sa pagitan ng pribado atpa"publi!ong health officers. Nanini#ala a!o na napa!ala!i ng pag!a!aiba sa pagitan nila atnag"u"ula ito sa !adahilanang inaasahan ang "ga pa"publi!ong health officers bilang frontline sapaghahatid ng serbisyong pang!alusugan.:) Bilang public officers, "ay pananagutan sila sa taong-bayan sa lahat ng oras, at nararapat na "agling!od sila nang "ay dangal, !atapatan, !ahusayan,ganap-taglay ang pagiging "a!abayan at "a!atarungan, at paya! ang pa"u"uhay. :$'aaari din

nating banggitin na ang sa"bayanan ang nagpapasahod sa !anila.

a pa"a"agitan ng pagliling!od ng "ga pa"publi!ong health officers naisasa!atuparan ngpa"ahalaan ang tung!ulin nito na pangalagaan ang !alusugan ng "ga "a"a"ayan, lalo na ang"ga "aralitang bahagya na ngang "a!abili ng sapat na pag!ain sa ara#-ara#.

a puntong ito, binibigyang-diin na "aaaring "aging conscientious ob?ectors ang "gapa"publi!ong health officers. 'alina# ito sa R/ 2a# "is"o na naglatag ng !arapatan saconscientious ob? ection nang #alang pasubali sa pagitan ng pribado at pa"publi!ong healthprofessionals. Pinagtitibay ito ng 8RR ng R/ 2a# na nagsasabing "aaring "aging conscientiousob?ectors ang "ga pa"publi!ong s!illed health professionals sa ilali" ng bahaging ito=

EC8N +.0. Public !illed /ealth Professional as a Conscientious b?ector. - 8n order to legallyrefuse to deliver reproductive health care services or infor"ation as a conscientious ob?ector, apublic s!illed health professional shall co"ply #ith the follo#ing re7uire"ents=

a1 he s!illed health professional shall explain to the client the li"ited range of servicesheKshe can provide9

b1 Extraordinary diligence shall be exerted to refer the client see!ing care to another s!illedhealth professional or volunteer #illing and capable of delivering the desired reproductivehealth care service #ithin the sa"e facility9

c1 8f #ithin the sa"e health facility, there is no other s!illed health professional or volunteer

#illing and capable of delivering the desired reproductive health care service, theconscientious ob?ector shall refer the client to another specific health facil ity or provider thatis conveniently accessible in consideration of the client&s travel arrange"ent s and financialcapacity9

d1 (ritten docu"entation of co"pliance #ith the preceding re7uire"ents9 and

e1 ther re7uire"ents as deter"ined by the 4/.

8n the event #here the public s!illed health professional cannot co"ply #it h all of the abovere7uire"ents, he or she shall deliver the client&s desired reproductive health care service or infor"ation #ithout further delay. E"phasis supplied1

a gayon, hindi !arapat-dapat na sabihing lu"alabag sa e7ual protection clause ng ating aligangBatas ang R/ 2a# at 8RR nito. %augnay nito, tinutuligsa ang su"usunod na bahagi ng ection + .0ng 8RR ng R/ 2a#=

Provided, hat s!illed health professionals such as provincial, city, or "unicipal health officers, chiefsof hospital, head nurses, supervising "id#ives, a"ong others, #ho by virtue of their office arespecifically charged #ith the duty to i"ple"ent the provisions of the RPR/ Act and these Rules,cannot be considered as conscientious ob?ectors. E"phasis suppl ied1



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8tinatadhana nito na hindi "aaaring "aging conscientious ob?ectors ang "ga pa"publi!ong s!illedhealth professionals na "is"ong inatasang "agsaga#a ng "ga !autusan at progra"a sa /ali" ngR/ 2a# at 8RR nito. 'alina# ang dahilan nito. (alang "a!abuluhang pagsasa!atuparan ng R/2a#, at pangangalaga sa reproductive health ng sa"bayanan, !ung hahayaan ang "ga provincial,city, o "unicipal health officers, chiefs of hospital, head nurses at supervising "id#ives - iyong "gaitinuturing na nasa front line ng paghahatid ng serbisyong pang!alusugan - na tu"angging

"agbigay ng reproductive health care services at "ahalagang !aala"an u!ol dito.

'a!i!itang hindi discri"inatory ang nasabing probisyon !apag inilapat ang test of reasonableness.:0 a!op la"ang nito ang "ga public s!illed health professionals na inatasangisaga#a ang "ga !autusan at progra"a sa ilali" ng R/ 2a# at 8RR nito. 'a!i!ita na iyon la"ang"ga "ay "anage"ent prerogative at !apangyarihang "ag-i"plu#ensiya ng pa"a"ala!ad ng!anilang institusyon ang hindi "aaaring tu"angging "aghatid ng reproductive health care servicesat "ahalagang !aala"an u!ol dito. 'alina# ang pag!a!aiba nila sa ibang pa"publi!ong healthprofessionals na "aaaring "aging conscientious ob?ectors.

'alina# din na "ay !augnayan sa layunin ng R/ 2a# ang pagbubu!od sa "ga s!illed healthprofessionals gaya ng provincial, city, o "unicipal health officers, chiefs of hospital, head nurses at

supervising "id#ives . (alang sinu"an ang "a!apagsasabi na ito ay 6palpably arbitrary or capricious6:* gayong ang sa!op nito ay iyon la"ang "ga itinuturing na pinuno ng "ga pa"publi!onginstitusyon. (alang dahilan upang ipanga"ba na ipatutupad la"ang ang pagbubu!od na ito sau"iiral na !alagayan o !aya hindi ito ipatutupad sa lahat ng provincial, city, o "unicipal healthofficers, chiefs of hospital, head nurses at supervising "id#ives .

Bilang "ga !a#ani ng pa"ahalaan, nalalagay sa isang pa"bihirang !atayuan ang "ga publicofficers para isa!atuparan ang "ga nilalayon ng pa"ahalaan. 4ahil dito, "ala!i ang na!aatang naresponsibilidad sa !anila upang ilunsad ang "ga bala!in ng pa"ahalaan. Pagdating sa reproductivehealth progra"s, "agiging !ahangalan para sa pa"ahalaan !ung hahayaan nito na sariling "ga!a#ani ang hu"adlang sa pa"a"agitan ng paglalatag ng "ga salungat na pata!aran ga"it ang"a!inarya ng pa"ahalaan. a"a!atu#id, hindi dapat payagang tu"ali!od sa tung!ulin ang isangpublic officer na "is"ong inatasang isaga#a ang "ga !autusan at progra"a sa ilali" ng R/ 2a# at

8RR nito, o biguin nito ang paglulunsad ng isang reproductive health progra".

Phil/ealth Accreditation

a ilali" ng ection $; ng R/ 2a#, hinihi!ayat ang "ga pribadong reproductive health care serviceproviders, gaya ng gynecologists at obstetricians, na "agbigay ng libreng reproductive health careservices !atu"bas ng < oras ba#at taon sa "ga "aralitang pasyente. 8tinata!da din ng ection $;na !ailangang "agbigay ng nasabing serbisyo !atu"bas ng < oras ang "ga "edical professionalsupang "ag!aroon sila ng Phil/ealth accreditation. Ayon sa 4ecision, nararapat na bigyan din ngexe"ption ang "ga conscientious ob?ectors sa panuntunang ito dahil sa !anilang religious beliefs nanagbaba#al sa !anilang "agbigay ng serbisyo u!ol sa reproductive health.

Ayon sa petitioners, tinututulan nila ang pagpapalaganap ng contraceptives , na itinuturing nilangli!as na "asa"a. /indi nila tinututulan ang pagpapahalaga sa reproductive health ng "ga"a"a"ayan, parti!ular na ang "ga "aralita. inutu!oy sa ection $; ang pagbibigay ng librengreproductive health care services.

Batay sa R/ 2a#, tu"utu!oy ang reproductive health care sa paghahatid ng lahat ng serbisyo,!aga"itan, pa"a"araan at fac ilities na "a!atutulong sa i!abubuti ng reproductive health sapa"a"agitan ng pagtugon sa "ga sa!it na !augnay nito.:

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%asa"a dito ang pagpapanatili ng sexual health upang "apabuti ang antas ng buhay at personalrelations ng "ga "a"a"ayan. a!la# ng reproductive health care ang "ga su"usunod na bahaginito=

$1 3a"ily planning infor"ation and services #hich shall include as a first priority "a! ing #o"en of reproductive age full y a#are of their respective cycles to "a!e the" a#are of #hen

fertiliDation is highly probable, as #ell as highly i"probable9

01 'aternal, infant and child health and nutrition, including breastfeeding9

*1 Proscription of abortion and "anage"ent of abortion co"plications9

1 Adolescent and youth reproductive health guidance and counseling9

+1 Prevention, treat"ent and "anage"ent of reproductive tract infections Ris1, /8M and A84 and other sexuall y trans"ittable infections is19

:1 Eli"ination of violence against #o"en and children and other for"s of sexual and gender-

based violence9

;1 Education and counseling on sexuality and reproductive health9


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Pahuling Pasabi

(alang pinapanigan ang %orte upre"a !undi ang aligang Batas, at pina!inggan ang lahat ngdu"ulog dito sa usapin ng R/ 2a#. /ati-hati ang opinyon pagdating sa reproductive health at fa"ilyplanning. /ali"ba#a, baga"a&t "ay "ga pagtutol ang bahagi ng i"bahang %atoli!a sareproductive health at fa"ily planning, itinuturing na"an itong alinsunod sa "ga aral ng 8sla". Ayon

safat#ah na inilabas ng Asse"bly of 4arul-8ftah of the Philippines !augnay sa reproductive health atfa"ily planning, #alang !asulatang napapaloob sa @ur& an na nagbaba#al sa pagpigil at pag-aag#at sa pagbubuntis at pagbaba#as sa da"i ng ana!.

Ayon din sa !anila, hindi salungat sa !onsiyensiya ang fa"ily planning. a !atunayan, itinataguyodito ng hariah. 8tina!da ng @ur&an na !ailangang pasusuhin ng ina ang sanggol hanggang ito aydala#ang taong gulang, at nagbabala ang Propeta laban sa pagpapasuso ng inang nagdadalang-tao. 'alina# dito ang layuning pag-aag#at ng pagbubuntis, !ung saan !ina!ailangang hindi"abuntis ang ina sa loob ng dala#ang taon na ito ay nagpapasuso.

Pinapayagan ang lahat ng "ethods of contraception hangga&t ang "ga ito ay ligtas, naaayon sabatas, aprobado ng "edical professionals at alinsunod sa 8sla"ic hariah. (ala ring na!i!itang

pagtutol ang hariah sa pa!ahulugan ng 8nternational Conference on Population and 4evelop"entsa reproductive health,:: patina ang "ga prinsipyo nito u!ol sa pagpapasiya sa da"i at pag-aag#atng "ga ana!, pag!a!aroon ng !aala"an u!ol sa sariling se!s#alidad, pagiging ligtas sa "ga sa!it!augnay sa reproduction, at pag!a!aroon ng safe at satisfying sex life sa pagitan ng "ag-asa#a.%ung susu!atin ang "ga adhi!ain ng R/ 2a# batay sa religious freedo" ng "ga 'usli", nabu"ubuo sa li"ang porsiyento ng "ga 3ilipino, #ala itong hatid na ligalig o pasanin.

a li!od ng !arapatan sa "alayang pagsa"ba at pagpapahayag ng relihiyon ay ang pagrespeto sapanini#ala ng iba. /ati-hati "aging ang "ga opinyon ng "ga %atoli!o pagdating sa reproductivehealth at fa"ily planning. 'ala!ing bahagi ng "ga %atoli!o ang su"usuporta sa R/ 2a# at "galayunin nito. 4ahil dito, #alang "aituturing na iisang a#toridad pagdating sa usaping ito !undi angaligang Batas. 8to ang nag-iisang batayan na isasaalang-alang upang "a!arating ang %orteupre"a sa !on!lusyong "a!atarungan para sa lahat.

A% AF AN5-AFN sa 4ecision na ang EC8N A1, >, $+, $; A 0 N5 R/ 2A( AF /8N482ABA5 A A285AN5 BAA. AN5-AFN 48N A% na ang R/ 2A( AF /8N48 2ABA5 AR85/ 283E, R85/ /EA2/, R85/ E@A2 PREC8N 3 /E 2A( A R85/ 4E PRCE 3 /E 2A( ng "ga "a"a"ayan. Bu!od dito, AN5-A FN A% NA AN5R/ 2A( A F /8N48 2ABA5 A PR8NC8P2E 3 NN-4E2E5A8N 3 2E582A8ME

A/R8F, NE BEC - NE B822 R2E A A(N'8FA ng "ga pa"ahalaang lo!al atng Autono"ous Region of 'usli" 'indanao sa ilali" ng aligang Batas.

AN5-AFN A% na /8N48 PA NAPAPANA/N PAN5 'A5PA/AFA5 AN5 %RE PRE'A%2 A PA5PAPA(A2AN5-B8A N5 EC8N $ dahil hindi pa na!abubuo ng curriculu" ang4epart"ent of Education. /indi pa rin napapanahon upang ipahayag !ung ang R/ 2a# ay labag sa

right to health ng "ga "a"a"ayan dahil #ala pang contraceptive na naisusu"ite para sa pagsusuring 34A sa ilali" ng R/ 2a#.

AN5-AFN A% na nararapat na 8PA(A2AN5-B8A AN5 EC8N *.)lA1 A *.)$1 N5 8RRN5 R/ 2A( dahil nagdadagdag ito ng salitang 6pri"arily6 sa !ahulugan ng abortifacient, na hindina"an ayon sa "ga titi! ng ection a1 ng R/ 2a#.

5AFNPA'AN, hindi nito "aaape!tuhan ang panini#ala !ong ang 2A/A N5 '5A PRB8FNN5 R/ 2A( NA 8N285A N5 PE88NER AF PA(AN5 %N8FNA2.

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A'A%A (84, a!o ay bu"oboto para ipahayag na /8N48 2ABA5 A A285AN5 BAA angEC8N ;, $;, 0*A1$1, 0*A10181, 0*A101$$1, 0*A1*1 A 0*B1 N5 R/ 2A(.

MARIA !OURES P.A. SERENOPunong 'ahistrada

/oo&no&(*

$ Art icle 88, ection $0 .

0 Barangay Association for National Advance"ent and ransparency BANA1 Party-2ist v.C'E2EC, 5.R. No. $;;+), +>+ CRA ;;9 a"son v. Aguirre, *;* Phil.::< $>>>19 v. 5rant, $< Phil. $00 $>$)1.

* 8nsular lu"ber Co. v. Court of ax Appeals, $>0 Phil. 00$ $>>*, 00; CRA $)).

+ 8d.

: 2a#yers Against 'onopoly and Poverty 2A'P1 v. ecretary of Budget and 'anage"ent,5.R. No. $:> Phil. >$1.

; Ca#aling v. C'E2EC, supra note ;.

>$1.

> ection ;. Access to 3a"ily Planning. - All accredited public health facilities shall provide afull range of "odern fa"ily planning "ethods, #hich shall also include "edical consultations,supplies and necessary and reasonable procedures for poor and "arg inaliDed coupleshaving infertility issues #ho desire to have children= Provided, hat fa"ily planning servicesshall li!e#ise be extended by private health facilities to paying patients #ith the option togrant free care and services to indigents, except in the case of non-"aternity specialtyhospitals and hospitals o#ned and operated by a religious group, but they have the option toprovide such full range of "odern fa"ily planning "ethods= Provided, further, hat thesehospitals shall i""ediately refer the person see!ing such care and services to another

health facility #hich is conveniently accessible= Provided, finally, hat the person is not in ane"ergency condition or serious case as defined in Republic Act No.


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$) a ilali" ng R.A.


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ection .):. Access to 3a"ily Planning 8nfor"ation and ervices. - No person shallbe denied infor"ation and access to fa"ily planning services, #hether natural or artificial= Provided, hat "inors #ill not be allo#ed access to "odern "ethods of fa"ily planning #ithout #ritten consent fro" their parents or guardianKs except #henthe "inor is already a parent or has had a "iscarriage.

ection .);. Access of 'inors to 3a"ily Planning ervices. - Any "inor #hoconsults at health care facilities shall be given age-appropriate counseling onresponsible parenthood and reproductive health. /ealth care facilities shall dispensehealth products and perfor" procedures for fa"ily planning= Provided,

hat in public health facilities, any of the follo#ing conditions are "et=

a1 he "inor presents #ritten consent fro" a parent or guardian9 or

b1 he "inor has had a previous pregnancy or is a lready a parent as provenby any one of the follo#ing circu"stances, a"ong others=

$. (ritten docu"entation fro" a s!illed health professional9

0. 4ocu"entation through ancillary exa"inations such as ultrasound9

*. (ritten "anifestation fro" a guardian, local social #elfare anddevelop"ent officer, local govern"ent official or local health volunteer9 or

. Acco"panied personally by a parent, grandparent, or guardian.

Provided further, hat consent shall not be re7uired in the case of abused or exploited "inors, #here the parent or the person exercising parental authority is therespondent, accused, or convicted perpetrator as certified by the proper prosecutorial

office or the court.

Provided further, hat in the absence of any parent or legal guardian, #ritten consentshall be obtained only for elective surgical procedures fro" the grandparents, and intheir default, the oldest brother or sister #ho is at least $< years of age or the relative#ho has the actual custody of the child, or authoriDed representatives of children&sho"es, orphanages, and si"ilar institutions duly accredited by the proper govern"ent agency, a"ong others. 8n no case shall consent be re7uired ine"ergency or serious cases as defined in RA


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reproductive health including the right to infor"ed choice and access to a full rangeof legal, "edically-safe, non-abortifacient and effective fa"ily planning "ethods9

$ ection +.0. Public !illed /ealth Professional as a Conscientious b?ector. - 8n order tolegally refuse to deliver reproductive health care services or infor"ation as a conscientiousob?ector, a public s!illed health professional shall co"ply #ith the follo#ing re7uire"ents=

a1 he s!illed health professional shall explain to the client the li"ited rangeof services heKshe can provide9

b1 Extraordinary diligence shall be exerted to refer the client see!ing care toanother s!illed health professional or volunteer #illing and capable of delivering the desired reproductive health care service #ithin the sa"efacility9

c1 8f #ithin the sa"e health facility, there is no other s!illed healthprofessional or volunteer #illing and capable of delivering the desiredreproductive health care service, the conscientious ob?ector shall refer the

client to another specific health facility or provider that is convenientlyaccessible in consideration of the client&s travel arrange"ents and financialcapacity9

d1 (ritten docu"entation of co"pliance #ith the preceding re7uire"ents9and

e1 ther re7uire"ents as deter"ined by the 4/.

8n the event #here the public s!illed health professional cannot co"ply #ith all of theabove re7uire"ents, he or she shall deliver the client&s desired reproductive healthcare service or infor"ation #ithout further delay.

Provided, hat s!illed health professionals such as provincial, city, or "unicipalhealth officers, chiefs of hospital, head nurses, supervising "id#ives, a"ong others,#ho by virtue of their office are specifically charged #ith the duty to i"ple"ent theprovisions of the RPR/ Act and these Rules, cannot be considered as conscientiousob?ectors.

(ithin sixty :)1 days fro" the effectivity of these rules, the 4/ shall developguidelines for the i"ple"entation of this provision.

$+ ection 0*. Prohibited Acts. - he follo#ing acts are prohibited=

a1 Any health care service provider, #hether public or private, #ho shall=

01 Refuse to perfor" legal and "edically-safe reproductive health procedures onany person of legal age on the ground of lac! of consent or authoriDation of thefollo#ing persons in the follo#ing instances=

i1 pousal consent in case of "arried persons= Provided, hat in case of disagree"ent, the decision of the one undergoing the procedure shall prevail9 andxxx.

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$: ection $:.)$. he follo#ing acts are prohibited=


0. Refuse to perfor" legal and "edically-safe reproductive health procedures on anyperson of legal age on the ground of lac! of consent or authoriDation of the follo#ing

persons in the follo#ing instances=

i. pousal consent in case of "arried persons= Provided, hat in case of disagree"ent, the decision of the one undergoing the procedure shall prevail9 and

$; ection 0*. Prohibited Acts. - he follo#ing acts are prohibited=


01 Refuse to perfor" legal and "edically-safe reproductive health procedures onany person of legal age on the ground of lac! of consent or authoriDation of thefollo#ing persons in the follo#ing instances=

x x x

ii1 Parental consent or that of the person exercising parental authority in the case of abused "inors, #here the parent or the person exercising parental authority is therespondent, accused or convicted perpetrator as certified by the proper prosecutorialoffice of the court. 8n the case of "inors, the #ritten consent of parents or legalguardian or, in their absence, persons exercising parental authority or next-of-!inshall be re7uired only in elective surgical procedures and in no case shall consent bere7uired in e"ergency or serious cases as defined in Republic Act No. ection 0* . Prohibited Acts. - he follo#ing acts are prohibited=

b1 Any public officer, elected or appointed, specifically charged #ith the duty toi"ple"ent the provisions hereof, #ho, personally or through a subordinate, prohibitsor restricts the delivery of legal and "edically-safe reproductive health care services,including fa"ily planning9 or forces, coerces or induces any person to use such

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services9 or refuses to allocate, approve or release any budget for reproductivehealth care services, or to support reproductive health progra"s9 or shall do any actthat hinders the full i"ple"entation of a reproductive health progra" as "andated bythis Act9

0) ection $;. Pro Bono ervices for 8ndigent (o"en. - Private and nongovern"ent

reproductive health care service providers including, but not li"ited to, gynecologists andobstetricians, are encouraged to provide at least forty-eight


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indication as deter"ined by the 3ood and 4rug Ad"inistration 34A1. E"phasissupplied1

0 ection . 4efinition of er"s. - 3or the purpose of this Act, the follo#ing ter"s shall bedefined as follo#s=

a1 Abortifacient refers to any drug or device that induces abortion or the destructionof a fetus inside the "other&s #o"b or the prevention of the fertiliDed ovu" to reachand be i"planted in the "other&s #o"b upon deter"ination of the 34A.

0+ ection $0. he tate recogniDes the sanctity of fa"ily life and shall protect and strengthenthe fa"ily as a basic autono"ous social institution. lt shall e7ually protect the life of the"other and the life of the unborn fro" conception. he natural and pri"ary right and duty of parents in the rearing of the youth for civic efficiency and the develop"ent of "oral character shall receive the support of the 5overn"ent.

0: ++ Phil. $$ 0))*1.

0; 8d. at +;;-+;


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selecting drugs including fa"ily planning supplies that #ill be included or re"oved fro" theEssential 4rugs 2ist E421 in accordance #ith existing practice and in consultation #ithreputable "edical associations in the Philippines. 3or the purpose of this Act, any product or supply included or to be included in the E42 "ust have a certification fro" the 34A that saidproduct and supply is "ade available on the condition that it is not to be used as anabortifacient. E"phasis supplied1

) N, : August 0)$*, pp.$;$-$;*.

$ (ashington v. 5luc!sberg, +0$ .. ;)0.

0 AtienDa v. C'E2EC, 5.R. No. $0.

+ Nasusulat sa 3a"ily Code of the Philippines na=

Article >:. he ad"inistration and en?oy"ent of the co""unity property shall belongto both spouses ?ointly. 8n case of disagree"ent, the husband&s decision shall prevail,sub?ect to recourse to the court by the #ife for proper re"edy, #hich "ust be availedof #ithin five years fro" the date of the contract i"ple"enting such decision.

Naglatag ang batas ng panuntunan na sa!aling hindi "ag!asundo ang "ag-asa#asa pa"a"ahala at pagta"asa sa !anilang ari-arian, "ananaig ang pasiya ngasa#ang lala!i. 'aihahalintulad dito ang probisyon ng R/ 2a# na nagpapahalaga sasaril ing pagpapasiya ng taong "ay !ata#an u!ol sa resproductive health.Nagbibigay la"ang ang batas ng !alutasan sa panahong hindi "ag!asundo ang"ag-asa#a.

: 4ecision.

; 8d.

3A'82F C4E 3 /E P/828PP8NE, Article 0)>.

+) 8d., Article 00). he parents and those exercising parental authority shall have #ith respectto their une"ancipated children or #ards the follo#ing rights and duties=

$1 o !eep the" in their co"pany, to support, educate and instruct the" by rightprecept and good exa"ple, and to provide for their upbringing in !eeping #ith their "eans9

01 o give the" love and affection , advice and counsel, co"panionship andunderstanding9

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*1 o provide the" #ith "oral and spiritual guidance, inculcate in the" honesty,integrity, self-discipline, self-reliance, industry and thrift, sti"ulate their interest incivic affairs, and inspire in the" co"pliance #ith the duties of citiDenship9

1 o enhance, protect, preserve and "aintain their physical and "ental health at allti"es9

+1 o furnish the" #ith good and #holeso"e educational "aterials, supervise their activities, recreation and association #ith others, protect the" fro" bad co"pany,and prevent the" fro" ac7uiring habits detri"ental to their health, studies and"orals9

:1 o represent the" in all "atters affecting their interests9

;1 o de"and fro" the" respect and obedience9

1 o perfor" such other duties as are i"posed by la# upon parents and guardians.*$:a1

+$ 8d., Article 0$).

+0 Article 00


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interdiction. he authority is auto"atically reinstated upon service of the penalty or upon pardon or a"nesty of the offender. **)a1

Article 0*$. he court in an action filed for the purpose or in a related case "ay alsosuspend parental authority if the parent or the person exercising the sa"e=

$1 reats the child #ith excessive harshness or cruelty9

01 5ives the child corrupting orders, counsel or exa"ple9

*1 Co"pels the child to beg9 or

1 ub?ects the child or allo#s hi" to be sub?ected to acts of lasciviousness.

he grounds enu"erated above are dee"ed to include cases #hich have resultedfro" culpable negligence of the parent or the person exercising parental authority.

8f the degree of seriousness so #arrants, or the #elfare of the child so de"ands, thecourt shall deprive the guilty party of parental authority or adopt such other "easuresas "ay be proper under the circu"stances. he suspension or deprivation "ay berevo!ed and the parental authority revived in a case filed for the purpose or in thesa"e proceeding if the court finds that the cause therefor has ceased and #ill not berepeated. **0a1

Article 0*0. 8f the person exercising parental authority has sub?ected the child or allo#ed hi" to be sub?ected to sexual abuse, such person shall be per"anentlydeprived by the court of such authority. n1

+* 4ecision.

+ Co""ittee on the Rights of the Child, 5eneral Co""ent No. , Adolescent health anddevelop"ent in the context of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, .N . 4oc.CRCK5CK0))*K 0))*1.

++ ection $. Age-and 4evelop"ent-Appropriate Reproductive /ealth Education. - he tateshall provide age-and develop"ent-appropriate reproductive health education to adolescents#hich shall be taught by ade7uately trained teachers in for"al and no nfor"al educationalsyste" and integrated in relevant sub?ects such as, but not li"ited to, values for"ation 9!no#ledge and s!ills in self-protection against discri"ination9 sexual abuse and violenceagainst #o"en and children and other for"s of gender based violence and teen pregnancy9physical, social and e"otional changes in adolescents9 #o"en&s rights and children&s rights9responsible teenage behavior9 gender and develop"ent9 and responsible parenthood=

Provided, hat flexibility in the for"ulation and adoption of appropriate course content, scopeand "ethodology in each educational level or group shall be allo#ed only after consultations#ith parents-teachers-co""unity associations, school officials and other interest groups.he 4epart"ent of Education 4epEd1 shall for"ulate a curriculu" #hich shall be used bypublic schools and "ay be adopted by pdvate schools. E"phasis supplied1

+: oint 'e"orandu" f Respondent /ouse of Representatives and Respondent-8ntervenor Rep. Edcel C. 2ag"an1, pp. +;-+


31/301

+; 5eneral Co""ent No. , Adolescent health and develop"ent in the context of theConvention on the Rights of the Child, .N. 4oc. CRCK5CK0))*K 0))*1.

+ 8d .

:) Esta"pa, r. v. City 5overn"ent of 4avao, 5. R. No. $>):


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#o"en e"po#er"ent, and responsible parenthood. 8ts opponents, ho#ever, deplore the la# for #hat they clai" brings about a contraceptive "entality leading to the lo#ering of "oral standards,destruction of "arriage and the fa"ily, a population #inter, and a culture of death.

he path that #e, as a nation, #ill ta!e has already been decided by Congress, as representatives of the people, under our syste" of govern"ent. he tas! before the Court, then, is not to say #hich

path #e ought to ta!e but to deter"ine if the chosen path treads on unconstitutional grounds. Butthis is not all. 3or the Court, #hich #as once generally a passive organ in our constitutional order,has been given expanded po#ers under the present Constitution. 8t is no# not only its right but itsbounden duty to deter"ine grave abuse of discretion on the part of any branch, instru"entality or agency of govern"ent,0 and, e7ually i"portant, it has been given the po#er to issue rules for theprotection and enforce"ent of constitutional rights. * he Court cannot, therefore, re"ain an idlespectator or a disinterested referee #hen constitutional rights are at sta!e. 8t is its duty to protect anddefend constitutional rights for other#ise its raison d&etre #ill cease.

(ith these considerations in "ind, 8 a" of the vie# that the social gains or ills, #hether i"agined or real, resulting fro" the i"ple"entation of the R/ 2a# is beyond the scope of ?udicial revie#. hus,even if #e assu"e that the grave and catastrophic predictions of the opponents of the R/ 2a#

"anifest itself later on, the re"edy #ould lie #ith Congress to repeal or a"end the la#. (e haveentrusted our destiny as a nation to this syste" of govern"ent #ith the underlying hope thatCongress #ill find the enlighten"ent and "uster the #ill to change the course they have set under this la# should it prove un#ise or detri"ental to the life of our nation. he battle in this regardre"ains #ithin the legislative sphere. And there is no obstacle for the la#&s opponents to continuefighting the good fight in the halls of Congress, if they so choose. hus, the Court #ill refrain fro"ruling on the validity of the R/ 2a# based on its #isdo" or expediency.

his is not to say, ho#ever, that this la# is beyond ?udicial scrutiny. (hile 8 #ill tac!le severalconstitutional 7uestions presented before this Court in this pinion, it is "y considered vie# that thepara"ount issue, #hich is properly the sub?ect of constitutional litigation, hinges on t#o vital7uestions= $1 #hen does the life of the unborn beginG and 01 ho# do #e ought to protect anddefend this lifeG

n the first 7uestion, 8 a" fully in accord #ith the result reached by the ponencia. Absent a clear andune7uivocal constitutional prohibition on the "anufacture, distribution, and use of contraceptives,there is nothing to prevent Congress fro" adopting a national fa"ily planning policy provided thatthe contraceptives that #ill be used pursuant thereto do not har" or destroy the life of the unbornfro" conception, #hich is synony"ous to fertiliDation, under Article 88, ection $0 of the Constitution.he plain "eaning of this constitutional provision and the deliberations of the ConstitutionalCo""ission bare this out.

8t is upon the ans#er to the second 7uestion, ho#ever, #here 8 find "yself unable to fully agree #iththe ponencia. Congress acco"plished a co""endable underta!ing #hen it passed the R/ 2a# #ithut"ost respect for the life of the unborn fro" conceptionKfertiliDation. 8ndeed, this la# is replete #ith

provisions see!ing to protect and uphold the right to life of the unborn in consonance #ith theConstitution.

/o#ever, #here the tas! of Congress ends, the Court&s charge begins for it is "andated by theConstitution to protect and defend constitutional rights. (ith the i"pending i"ple"entation of the R/2a#, the Court cannot tu" a blind eye #hen the right to life of the unborn "ay be i"periled or

?eopardiDed. (ithin its constitutionally-"andated role as guardian and defender of constitutionalrights, in general, and its expanded po#er to issue rules for the protection and enforce"ent of such

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rights, in particular, the Court "ay, thus, issue such orders as are necessary and essential to protect,defend and enforce the right to life of the unborn.

he fra"ers of, and the people #ho ratified the Constitution set in bold and deft stro!es theprotection of the life of the unborn fro" conceptionKfertiliDation because it is precious, sacred andinviolable. 3or as long as this precept re"ains #ritten in our Constitution, our sole"n duty is to stay

the course in fidelity to the "ost cherished values and #isdo" of those #ho ca"e before us and to#ho" #e entrusted the #riting and ratification of our Constitution. /istory #ill ?udge this Court on#hat it did or did not do to protect the life of the unborn fro" conceptionKfertiliDation. here is,therefore, no other recourse but for this Court to act in defense of the life of the unborn.

hese reasons pri"arily i"pel the #riting of this pinion.

4eliberations of the ConstitutionalCo""ission on Article 88, ection $0 of the Constitution.

Article 88, ection $0 of the Constitution provides, in part=

ection $0. he tate recogniDes the sanctity of fa"ily life and shall protect and strengthen thefa"ily as a basic autono"ous social institution. 8t shall e7ually protect the life of the "other and thelife of the unborn fro" conception.x x x E"phasis supplied1

Article 88, ection $0 of the present Constitution #as originally Article 88, ection > of the draft of theConstitution=

ection >. he tate recogniDes the sanctity of fa"ily life and shall protect and strengthen the fa"ilyas a basic social institution. he tate shall e7ually protect the life of the "other and the life of theunborn fro" the "o"ent of conception.+ x x x E"phasis supplied1

he draft of the Constitution #as slightly differently #orded as it "ade use of the phrase 6fro" the"o"ent of conception6 #hile its present #ording is 6fro" conception.6 he change in #ording, as #illbe discussed later, #as to si"plify the phraseology. But the intended "eaning of both phrases, asdeliberated by the Constitutional Co""ission, is the sa"e.

he bac!ground and basis of the sub?ect constitutional provision #ere explained in the sponsorshipspeech of Co""issioner Millegas. /e e"phasiDed that, based on incontrovertible scientificevidence, the fertiliDed ovu" is alive9 that this life is hu"an9 and that the fertiliDed ovu" is a hu"anperson. hough that last point, he ac!no#ledged, #as highly contested in la#. Co""issioner Millegas #ent on to discuss #hy abortion could not be ?ustified even in so-called hard cases such aspregnancies resulting fro" rape or incest9 pregnancies of "entally ill "others9 and pregnancies of "others "ired in ab?ect poverty.

he ?ustification for disallo#ing abortion in hard cases sets the tone on the nature of the right to lifeof the unborn, as a funda"ental right, that recurs throughout the deliberations=

he "ain reason #hy #e should say 6no6 to abortion in hard cases1 are= $1 a #rong cannot berighted by another #rong, 01 no one should be deprived of hu"an life #ithout due process and #ehave established scientifically that fro" the "o"ent of conception, the fertiliDed ovu" has alreadylife9 and *1 a fetus, ?ust li!e any hu"an, "ust be presu"ed innocent unless proven guilty. 8t is 7uite

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