Tilted interpretations: Reproductive health law and practice in the Philippines

• Main Author: Sta. Maria, Amparita
• Format: text
• Published: Archīum Ateneo 2019
• Subjects: Reproductive health; RH Bill; Health Law and Policy
• Online Access: https://archium.ateneo.edu/ateneo-school-of-law-pubs/1; https://www.routledge.com/Womens-Health-and-the-Limits-of-Law-Domestic-and-International-Perspectives/Iyioha/p/book/9781032082042
• Institution: Ateneo De Manila University

The journey towards realizing the goal of having a national law on reproductive health has been highly divisive in the Philippines and its implementation; even at present; continues to be contentious. Generally; health as a human right is not as developed a concept in the country when compared to the civil and political rights found in the Bill of Rights of the Philippine Constitution. The natural and primary right and duty of parents in the rearing of the youth and the development of moral character and the right of children to be brought up in an atmosphere of morality and rectitude for the enrichment and strengthening of character. The use of the contextual factors of culture; religion; and tradition as instruments to shape the making of the Reproductive Health Act (RH) Law was not limited to those who opposed the provisions of the then RH Bill.