Human Rights Online Philippines

The 15-year RH crusade is capped in triumph when the Supreme Court declared the RH Law constitutional and signaled the full implementation of the controversial measure.

This monumental decision upholds the separation of Church and State and affirms the supremacy of government in secular concerns like health and socio-economic development.

A grateful nation salutes the majority of Justices for their favorable ruling promoting reproductive health and giving impetus to sustainable human development.

The RH Law benefits the entire spectrum of Filipinos, particularly marginalized women, adolescents and children.

The hallmark of this progressive legislation is freedom of informed choice where compulsion and population control are not sanctioned.

The Supreme Court decision strengthens the government’s commitment to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), especially on improving maternal health, reducing infant mortality and promoting universal access to family planning by 2015.

The High Court’s ruling is a challenge to the Executive to fully and faithfully implement the RH Law and to Congress to provide adequate and meaningful appropriations to fund reproductive health programs and to resist attempts to repeal or weaken the RH Law.

The much-awaited decision positively responded to the consistent clamor of the people for the enactment and implementation of the RH Law and for government to give reproductive health services and supplies to marginalized and poor acceptors of family planning.

PRESS STATEMENT
Former Rep. Edcel C. Lagman
(Principal Author of the RH Law in the
House of Representatives)
08 April 2014

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