More Filipinos urge SC to approve RH law – SWS

By: 11 years ago

MANILA, Philippines – Apparently more Filipinos agree that the much vilified Reproductive Health law should be deemed constitutional by the Supreme Court, if the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey is to be believed.

The results of the survey obtained by INQUIRER.net Monday said at least 77 percent of Filipinos surveyed agreed that the “RH law follows what the Constitution stands for, so it is only proper for the Supreme Court to allow it.”

Those surveyed were responding to the question in Filipino: “How well do you agree or disagree to the statement ‘The RH law follows the Constitution, so it is only right that the Supreme Court favor it’?” according to a PowerPoint Presentation of the survey obtained by INQUIRER.net.

(“Gaano po kayo sumasang-ayon o hindi sumasang-ayon sa statement o pangungusap na ito ‘Sumusunod ang RH Law sa mga dapat pinapanindigan ng Konstitusyon, kaya dapat lamang paboran ito ng Supreme Court?”)

At least 14 percent remain undecided, while only 9 percent disagree to the statement, the survey said.

Meanwhile, the survey also said at least 72 percent of adults surveyed favor the RH law.

The survey was conducted from March 27 to 30 with a sample size of 1,200 adults spread across the country. It also has a margin error of three percent.

The SWS results were released a day before the Supreme Court is expected to decide on the law that has been stalled since it was approved in Congress.

The measure was signed in December 2012 by President Benigno Aquino III but the high court issued a status quo ante on the law after petitions were filed against it over its constitutionality.

The controversial law mandates the government to provide access to family planning methods such as contraception, a sensitive topic in the predominantly Catholic country. The Roman Catholic Church has opposed the measure on the grounds of morality.

RH advocates staged vigils and mass actions in Baguio City as they await the high court’s ruling during its summer sessions there.