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Republic of the Philippines SUPREME COURT Baguio City EN BANC G.R. No. 204819 April 8, 2014 JAMES M. IMBONG and LOVELY-ANN C. IMBONG, for themselves and in behalf of their minor children, LUCIA CARLOS IMBONG and BERNADETTE CARLOS IMBONG and MAGNIFICAT CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER, INC., Petitioners, vs. HON. PAQUITO N. OCHOA, JR., Executive Secretary, HON. FLORENCIO B. ABAD, Secretary, Department of Budget and Management, HON. ENRIQUE T. ONA, Secretary, Department of Health, HON. ARMIN A. LUISTRO, Secretary, Department of Education, Culture and Sports and HON. MANUELA. ROXAS II, Secretary, Department of Interior and Local Government, Respondents. x---------------------------------x G.R. No. 204934 ALLIANCE FOR THE FAMILY FOUNDATION PHILIPPINES, INC. [ALFI], represented by its President, Maria Concepcion S. Noche, Spouses Reynaldo S. Luistro & Rosie B . Luistro, Jose S. Sandejas & Elenita S.A. Sandejas, Arturo M. Gorrez & Marietta C. Gorrez, Salvador S. Mante, Jr. & Hazeleen L. Mante, Rolando M. Bautista & Maria Felisa S. Bautista, Desiderio Racho & Traquilina Racho, F emand Antonio A. Tansingco & Carol Anne C. Tansingco for themselves and on behalf of their minor children, Therese Antonette C. Tansingco, Lorenzo Jose C. Tansingco, Miguel F emando C. Tangsingco, Carlo Josemaria C. Tansingco & Juan Paolo C. Tansingco, Spouses Mariano V. Araneta & Eileen Z. Araneta for themselves and on behalf of their minor children, Ramon Carlos Z. Araneta & Maya Angelica Z. Araneta, Spouses Renato C. Castor & Mildred C. Castor for themselves and on behalf of their minor children, Renz Jeffrey C. Castor, Joseph Ramil C. Castor, John Paul C. Castor & Raphael C. Castor, Spouses Alexander R. Racho & Zara Z. Racho for themselves and on behalf of their minor children Margarita Racho, Mikaela Racho, Martin Racho, Mari Racho & Manolo Racho, Spouses Alfred R. Racho & Francine V. Racho for themselves and on behalf of their minor children Michael Racho, Mariana Racho, Rafael Racho, Maxi Racho, Chessie Racho & Laura Racho, Spouses David R. Racho & Armilyn A. Racho for themselves and on behalf of their minor child Gabriel Racho, Mindy M. Juatas and on behalf of her minor children Elijah Gerald Juatas and Elian Gabriel Juatas, Salvacion M. Monteiro, Emily R. Laws, Joseph R . Laws & Katrina R. Laws, Petitioners, vs. HON. PAQUITO N. OCHOA, JR., Executive Secretary, HON. ENRIQUE T. ONA, Secretary, Department of Health, HON. ARMIN A. LUISTRO, Secretary, Department of Education, Culture and Sports, HON. CORAZON SOLIMAN, Secretary, Department of Social Welfare and Development, HON. MANUELA. ROXAS II, Secretary, Department of Interior and Local Government, HON. FLORENCIO B. ABAD, Secretary, Department of Budget and Management, HON. ARSENIO M. BALISACAN, Socio-Economic Planning Secretary and NEDA Director-General, THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION ON WOMEN, represented by its Chairperson, Remedios lgnacio-Rikken, THE PHILIPPINE HEALTH INSURANCE CORPORATION, represented by its President Eduardo Banzon, THE LEAGUE OF PROVINCES OF THE PHILIPPINES, represented by its President Alfonso Umali, THE LEAGUE OF CITIES OF THE PHILIPPINES, represented by its President Oscar Rodriguez, and THE LEAGUE OF MUNICIPALITIES OF THE PHILIPPINES, represented by its President Donato Marcos, Respondents. x---------------------------------x G.R. No. 204957 TASK FORCE FOR FAMILY AND LIFE VISAYAS, INC. and VALERIANO S. AVILA, Petitioners, vs. HON. PAQUITO N. OCHOA, JR., Executive Secretary; HON. FLORENCIO B. ABAD, Secretary, Department of Budget and Management; HON. ENRIQUE T. ONA, Secretary, Department of Education; and HON. MANUELA. ROXAS II, Secretary, Department of Interior and Local Government, Respondents. x---------------------------------x G.R. No. 204988 SERVE LIFE CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, INC., represented by Dr. Nestor B. Lumicao, M.D., as President and in his personal capacity, ROSEVALE FOUNDATION INC., represented by Dr. Rodrigo M. Alenton, M.D., as member of the school board and in his personal capacity, ROSEMARIE R. ALENTON, IMELDA G. IBARRA, CPA, LOVENIAP.

Imbong vs Ochoa

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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. [email protected]) 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. [email protected]) "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-) [email protected] 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- )[email protected]@ 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, [email protected] 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. [email protected]@ 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. [email protected] >e%orandu%, #"F, rollo 6F.R. No. 385B)C7, p . [email protected] >e%orandu%, #"F, rollo 6F.R. No. 385B)C7, p. [email protected] 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) [email protected])) )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 [email protected])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"!: [email protected]@ http