SC proposes to trim down issues on RH law

MANILA, Philippines – Supreme Court Associate Justice Jose Catral Mendoza proposed to trim down the issues that will be covered in the oral arguments for the controversial reproductive health law (RH law).

During the pre-oral argument at the Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday, June 6, Mendoza suggested 3 issues to be covered for the RH Law arguments: 

1) Proscription against involuntary servitude/equal protection clause; 
2) Right to life/freedom of religion/natural law; and
 3) freedom of speech/academic freedom.



The respondents and intervenors agreed on Mendoza’s proposal, but petitioners “asked for more time to discuss among themselves the issues that they want to raise during the oral arguments.”

Because of this, Justices Roberto Abad and Marvic Leonen, who were present together with Mendoza, decided to schedule another pre-oral argument session on June 13 at 2 pm. The justices also ordered the petitioners to furnish the Court and the respondents advanced copies of their proposed issues on or before June 11. 





Earlier, SC spokesman Theodore Te said the high court has reset the oral arguments, originally scheduled on June 18, due to “many interventions filed and several petitions still coming.” 

The oral argument for the RH cases is scheduled on July 9, 2pm. 

On March 19, the SC issued a status quo ante order against the Reproductive Health law, temporarily stopping the law’s implementation.

The justices voted 10-5, in favor of the status quo ante order, which is effective for 120 days, or 4 months. The temporary restraining order (TRO) on its implementation will expire on July 16, a week after its scheduled oral arguments. – Rappler.com