Church praying High Court will ‘kill’ RH law
February 17, 2014 11:44 pm
by Robertzon F. Ramirez
THE Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) is hoping that the Reproductive Health (RH) law or Republic Act (RA) 10354 will go the same way as the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), which was declared unconstitutional by the High Court.
Fr. Melvin Castro, executive director of the CBCP—Episcopal Commission on Family and Life, said the Catholic Church is hoping that the Supreme Court (SC) will be guided by the Constitution, which respects human life, not by public pressure.
“The commitment of the state to protect family must be their basis to declare the law as unconstitutional,” Castro said.
The RH bill was signed into law by President Benigno Aquino 3rd in December 2012.
In March 2013, the SC stopped the implementation of the RH law when it issued a status quo ante (SQA) order valid for 120 days. The order was extended indefinitely when the SQA lapsed in July 2013.
The SC heard the final oral arguments on the case in August last year.
Senate President Franklin Drilon earlier urged the high tribunal to render a decision so that government can address the increasing concerns on maternal and infant care.
Castro said the Church is praying that the SC justices will rule against the RH law.
“Ang dasal natin na sana itong ating justices sa SC will be guided by wisdom, will be guided by their respect for life and their love for the Lord in this country to declare it [RH Law] as unconstitutional,” he said.
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