SC hears oral arguments on RH Law

Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno said the Supreme Court “may not be the best forum” for questions on the Reproductive Law (RH law), suggesting the Court might exercise “judicial restraint” in this case. Sereno made these remarks while grilling Maria Concepcion Noche, one of the lawyers of the 15 petitioners who are questioning the constitutionality of the law before the High Tribunal. Without mincing words, the Chief Justice noted how Noche “grappled” with answers to “difficult questions” at the start of oral arguments on Tuesday, July 9. Sereno, together with 13 justices of the Supreme Court, grilled Noche for more than 5 hours as she defended the basis of her opposition to the law: that life begins at conception. (Associate Justice Arturo Brion is on sick leave.) Noche argued that the law violates the constitutional right to life and that contraceptives are abortifacient. She pleaded, “Let the voice of the unborn be heard in the august halls of this tribunal. Let their voice be yours.” But other justices told her they are not in the best position to decide on matters of faith and medical science. Rappler Editor-at-large Marites Vitug says RH faces an uphill climb at the Supreme Court. She sees 6 justices for the RH law, 4 to 5  staunchly against it, and 3 possibly ending up a swing vote.

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