Pia Cayetano urges SC to lift suspension of RH Law

Senator Pia Cayetano. RYAN LEAGOGO/INQUIRER.NET FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Senator Pia Cayetano on Thursday asked the Supreme Court to lift the status quo ante order and allow the implementation of the controversial Republic Act No. 10354 or the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Law.

In a 36-page petition, Cayetano, the main sponsor of the law at the Senate, urged the high court to dismiss several petitions against the RH law for being premature.

“There is no actual case or controversy that exists because the petitions are based on hypothetical dispute and abstract propositions,” Cayetano said.

She said the law is consistent with the Constitution and does not violate the freedom of religion as well as the right to life.

Cayetano asked the high court to allow her to join the petitions of three former health secretaries Esperanza Cabral, Jaime Galvez-Tan and Alberto Romualdez Jr.
“The law in its entirety is constitutional. It is consistent with the right to privacy which has been recognized in our jurisdiction. It is so because the law opens up the choices of individuals in the realm of reproductive health,” read their petition stated.