Caduceus

RH loses sting with SC ruling – CBCP

MANLA, April 8, 2014 — Despite RH proponents’ outright claiming of victory, the much-contested RH law lost much of its sting with the Supreme Court declaring several key items in the said law unconstitutional, says the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines.

RH watered down
“Although the Supreme Court has upheld the constitutionality of the RH law, it has truly watered down the RH law and consequently upheld the importance of adhering to an informed religious conscience even among government workers,” said CBCP president Archbishop Socrates Villegas.

In a landmark decision earlier today, April 8, the SC justices struck down as unconstitutional 8 items in the RH law found in sections 7, 17 and 23 of the said law.

Section 7 is a major provision in the law, pertaining to “Access to Family Planning”; section 17 is titled “Pro Bono Services for Indigent Women”; and section 7 “Prohibited Acts.”

Partial victory, still a win
After SC spokesman Theodore Te announced the ruling earlier today, anti-RH advocates said they were still grateful that the High Court rejected several provisions they found highly objectionable.

Castro added, “So what happened today was not a failure. It was not a lost cause after all.”

He particularly lauded the SC for declaring unconstitutional part of Section 7 which requires health facilities owned by religious groups to provide family planning methods.

“The independence of Catholic hospitals for them to invoke their conscientious objection was strengthened,” he said.

The SC also junked contraceptives that may cause or induce abortion and the prohibition against health care providers who refuse to perform RH services.

“If only that we are happy, but [it is] still [a] partial [victory] because the P13 billion budget and the basic idea of imposition of RH is there but I’m glad that the conscientious objection was upheld,” he said.
As early as 8:00 a.m., several church-based and prolife groups gathered for a prayer rally outside the compound where SC justices were having their session.

Respect the SC
Archbishop Socrates Villegas, CBCP president, said the High Court has also “stood on the side of the rights of parents to teach their children” on matters of sexual health.
In a statement issued in behalf of the CBCP, Villegas said the RH law was significantly “watered down” by the SC’s ruling today.

The CBCP encouraged the faithful to maintain respect for the SC and its decision based on existing laws in the Philippines.

“The Church can continue its mission even with such unjust laws,” said Villegas.

“Let us move on from being an RH-law-reactionary-group to a truly Spirit empowered disciples of the Gospel of life and love. We have a positive message to proclaim,” he added. (CBCPNews)