SC denies bid to restore ‘penal provisions’ in RH law

MANILA, Philippines – Petitioners failed to restore the punitive measures included in the originally enacted Reproductive Health law.

On Tuesday, July 1, the Supreme Court (SC) denied the bids to review its ruling on the controversial RH law. Their original decision promulgated on April 8 stands. (READ: SC declares RH law constitutional)

The now-denied motions for reconsideration (MR) were filed separately by the following petitioners: The Filipino Catholic Voices for Reproductive Health Inc, et. al.; Pro-Life Philippine Inc; Joan De Venecia, Korina Ana Manibog, and Jan Robert Beltejar; Philippine Alliance of XSeminarians; spouses Francisco and Maria Fenny Tatad; and, Task Force for Family and Life Visayas.

In arguing for the revival of the “penal provisions” of the law, select interfaith groups said the absence of these provisions disempowers Filipino women. (READ: Interfaith groups to SC: Restore RH law’s penal provisions)

Upon the SC’s release of its decision on the petitions against the RH law, pro-RH groups immediately noticed that the ruling essentially waters down the law. 

Among the portions of the law struck down that allegedly affects its effective implementation include provisions punishing:

• public officials who withhold support for RH services if their conscience objects to the RH services
• RH service providers who refuse patient referrals if their conscience objects to the RH procedure
• RH service providers who deny service to women and pregnant teenagers due to lack of spousal and parental consent, respectively.

Likewise, motions for reconsideration of anti-RH groups among those already mentioned above were denied. They filed their motions, believing the entire RH law should be declared unconstitutional.* – Rappler.com

*The sentence was added at the request of anti-RH petitioners