Oral arguments on RH law moved from June 18 to July 9

The Supreme Court building in Manila. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The Supreme Court has moved the oral arguments on various petitions regarding Republic Act 10354 or the Act Providing for the National Policy on Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health or the RH law.

High Court Information Chief Theodore Te said at a press conference Tuesday that the oral argument will be on July 9 or a week before the restraining order will end on July 16. The oral argument was originally scheduled on June 18.

The high court moved the oral arguments due to the recent filing of several petitions and motions for interventions for and against the law.

Te said the high court granted the interventions of former health secretaries, Sen. Pia Cayetano, Rep. Edcel Lagman, and several others.

The petitioners against the RH law claim that the controversial law violates the ideals of an unconditional respect for life enshrined in the 1987 Constitution.

The law’s implementation was put on hold following the high court’s issuance of a 120-day status quo ante order in favor of petitioners last March 19.