Imbong vs.

Ochoa
TOPIC: Right to Life; Health; Religion; Free Speech; Privacy; Due Process Clause; Equal Protection Clause
DOCTRINE: See Ratio
Facts:
Republic Act (R.A.) No. 10354, otherwise known as the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012 (RH Law), was
enacted by Congress on December 21, 2012.
Challengers from various sectors of society are questioning the constitutionality of the said Act. The petitioners assailed the
constitutionality of the RH Law.
Issues:
Whether or not (WON) RA 10354/Reproductive Health (RH) Law is unconstitutional for violating the:
1. Right to life
2. Right to health
3. Freedom of religion and right to free speech
a.) WON the RH Law violates the guarantee of religious freedom since it mandates the State-sponsored procurement of
contraceptives, which contravene the religious beliefs of e.g. the petitioners
b.) WON the RH Law violates the guarantee of religious freedom by compelling medical health practitioners, hospitals, and health
care providers, under pain of penalty, to refer patients to other institutions despite their conscientious objections
c.) WON the RH Law violates the guarantee of religious freedom by requiring would-be spouses, as a condition for the issuance
of a marriage license, to attend a seminar on parenthood, family planning, breastfeeding and infant nutrition
4. Right to privacy (marital privacy and autonomy)
5. Freedom of expression and academic freedom
6. Due process clause
7. Equal protection clause
8. Prohibition against involuntary servitude
HOLDING AND RATIO:
1. NO. Majority of the Members of the Court believe that the question of when life begins is a scientific and medical issue that should
not be decided, at this stage, without proper hearing and evidence. However, they agreed that individual Members could express their
own views on this matter.
Article II, Section 12 of the Constitution states: The State recognizes the sanctity of family life and shall protect and strengthen the
family as a basic autonomous social institution. It shall equally protect the life of the mother and the life of the unborn from conception.
In its plain and ordinary meaning (a canon in statutory construction), the traditional meaning of conception according to reputable
dictionaries cited by the ponente is that life begins at fertilization. Medical sources also support the view that conception begins at
fertilization.
The framers of the Constitution also intended for (a) conception to refer to the moment of fertilization and (b) the protection of the
unborn child upon fertilization. In addition, they did not intend to ban all contraceptives for being unconstitutional; only those that kill or
destroy the fertilized ovum would be prohibited. Contraceptives that actually prevent the union of the male sperm and female ovum, and
those that similarly take action before fertilization should be deemed non-abortive, and thus constitutionally permissible.
The intent of the framers of the Constitution for protecting the life of the unborn child was to prevent the Legislature from
passing a measure prevent abortion. The Court cannot interpret this otherwise. The RH Law is in line with this intent and actually
prohibits abortion. By using the word or in defining abortifacient (Section 4(a)), the RH Law prohibits not only drugs or devices that
prevent implantation but also those that induce abortion and induce the destruction of a fetus inside the mothers womb. The RH Law
recognizes that the fertilized ovum already has life and that the State has a bounded duty to protect it.
However, the authors of the IRR gravely abused their office when they redefined the meaning of abortifacient by using the term
primarily. Recognizing as abortifacients only those that primarily induce abortion or the destruction of a fetus inside the mothers
womb or the prevention of the fertilized ovum to reach and be implanted in the mothers womb (Sec. 3.01(a) of the IRR) would pave
the way for the approval of contraceptives that may harm or destroy the life of the unborn from conception/fertilization. This violates
Section 12, Article II of the Constitution. For the same reason, the definition of contraceptives under the IRR (Sec 3.01(j)), which also
uses the term primarily, must be struck down.
2. NO. Petitioners claim that the right to health is violated by the RH Law because it requires the inclusion of h ormonal contraceptives,
intrauterine devices, injectables and other safe, legal, non-abortifacient and effective family planning products and supplies in the
National Drug Formulary and in the regular purchase of essential medicines and supplies of all national hospitals (Section 9 of the RH
Law). They cite risks of getting diseases gained by using e.g. oral contraceptive pills.

Some petitioners do not question contraception and contraceptives per se. Rather, they pray that the status quo under RA 4729 and 5921
be maintained. These laws prohibit the sale and distribution of contraceptives without the prescription of a duly-licensed physician.
The RH Law does not intend to do away with RA 4729 (1966). With RA 4729 in place, the Court believes adequate safeguards exist
to ensure that only safe contraceptives are made available to the public. In fulfilling its mandate under Sec. 10 of the RH Law, the
DOH must keep in mind the provisions of RA 4729: the contraceptives it will procure shall be from a duly licensed drug store or
pharmaceutical company and that the actual distribution of these contraceptive drugs and devices will be done following a
prescription of a qualified medical practitioner.
Meanwhile, the requirement of Section 9 of the RH Law is to be considered mandatory only after these devices and materials
have been tested, evaluated and approved by the FDA. Congress cannot determine that contraceptives are safe, legal, nonabortificient and effective.
3. The Court cannot determine whether or not the use of contraceptives or participation in support of modern RH measures (a) is moral
from a religious standpoint; or, (b) right or wrong according to ones dogma or belief. However, the Court has the authority to determine
whether or not the RH Law contravenes the Constitutional guarantee of religious freedom.
a.) NO. The State may pursue its legitimate secular objectives without being dictated upon the policies of any one religion. To allow
religious sects to dictate policy or restrict other groups would violate Article III, Section 5 of the Constitution or the Establishment
Clause. This would cause the State to adhere to a particular religion, and thus, establishes a state religion. Thus, the State can enhance its
population control program through the RH Law even if the promotion of contraceptive use is contrary to the religious beliefs of e.g. the
petitioners.
b.) YES. Sections 7, 23, and 24 of the RH Law obliges a hospital or medical practitioner to immediately refer a person seeking health
care and services under the law to another accessible healthcare provider despite their conscientious objections based on religious or
ethical beliefs. These provisions violate the religious belief and conviction of a conscientious objector. They are contrary to Section
29(2), Article VI of the Constitution or the Free Exercise Clause, whose basis is the respect for the inviolability of the human
conscience.
The provisions in the RH Law compelling non-maternity specialty hospitals and hospitals owned and operated by a religious group and
health care service providers to refer patients to other providers and penalizing them if they fail to do so (Sections 7 and 23(a)(3)) as well
as compelling them to disseminate information and perform RH procedures under pain of penalty (Sections 23(a)(1) and (a)(2) in
relation to Section 24) also violate (and inhibit) the freedom of religion. While penalties may be imposed by law to ensure compliance to
it, a constitutionally-protected right must prevail over the effective implementation of the law.
Excluding public health officers from being conscientious objectors (under Sec. 5.24 of the IRR) also violates the equal protection
clause. There is no perceptible distinction between public health officers and their private counterparts. In addition, the freedom to
believe is intrinsic in every individual and the protection of this freedom remains even if he/she is employed in the government.
Using the compelling state interest test, there is no compelling state interest to limit the free exercise of conscientious objectors. There
is no immediate danger to the life or health of an individual in the perceived scenario of the above-quoted provisions. In addition, the
limits do not pertain to life-threatening cases.
The respondents also failed to show that these provisions are least intrusive means to achieve a legitimate state objective. The
Legislature has already taken other secular steps to ensure that the right to health is protected, such as RA 4729, RA 6365 (The
Population Act of the Philippines) and RA 9710 (The Magna Carta of Women).
c.) NO. Section 15 of the RH Law, which requires would-be spouses to attend a seminar on parenthood, family planning, breastfeeding
and infant nutrition as a condition for the issuance of a marriage license, is a reasonable exercise of police power by the government. The
law does not even mandate the type of family planning methods to be included in the seminar. Those who attend the seminar are free to
accept or reject information they receive and they retain the freedom to decide on matters of family life without the intervention of the
State.
4. YES. Section 23(a)(2)(i) of the RH Law, which permits RH procedures even with only the consent of the spouse undergoing the
provision (disregarding spousal content), intrudes into martial privacy and autonomy and goes against the constitutional
safeguards for the family as the basic social institution. Particularly, Section 3, Article XV of the Constitution mandates the State to
defend: (a) the right of spouses to found a family in accordance with their religious convictions and the demands of responsible
parenthood and (b) the right of families or family associations to participate in the planning and implementation of policies and programs
that affect them. The RH Law cannot infringe upon this mutual decision-making, and endanger the institutions of marriage and the
family.
The exclusion of parental consent in cases where a minor undergoing a procedure is already a parent or has had a miscarriage (Section 7
of the RH Law) is also anti-family and violates Article II, Section 12 of the Constitution, which states: The natural and primary right
and duty of parents in the rearing of the youth for civic efficiency and the development of moral character shall receive the support of the
Government. In addition, the portion of Section 23(a)(ii) which reads in the case of minors, the written consent of parents or legal
guardian or, in their absence, persons exercising parental authority or next-of-kin shall be required only in elective surgical procedures
is invalid as it denies the right of parental authority in cases where what is involved is non-surgical procedures.

However, a minor may receive information (as opposed to procedures) about family planning services. Parents are not deprived of
parental guidance and control over their minor child in this situation and may assist her in deciding whether to accept or reject the
information received. In addition, an exception may be made in life-threatening procedures.
5. NO. The Court declined to rule on the constitutionality of Section 14 of the RH Law, which mandates the State to provide Age-and
Development-Appropriate Reproductive Health Education. Although educators might raise their objection to their participation in the RH
education program, the Court reserves its judgment should an actual case be filed before it.
Any attack on its constitutionality is premature because the Department of Education has not yet formulated a curriculum on ageappropriate reproductive health education.
Section 12, Article II of the Constitution places more importance on the role of parents in the development of their children with the use
of the term primary. The right of parents in upbringing their youth is superior to that of the State.
The provisions of Section 14 of the RH Law and corresponding provisions of the IRR supplement (rather than supplant) the right and
duties of the parents in the moral development of their children.
By incorporating parent-teacher-community associations, school officials, and other interest groups in developing the mandatory RH
program, it could very well be said that the program will be in line with the religious beliefs of the petitioners.
6. NO. The RH Law does not violate the due process clause of the Constitution as the definitions of several terms as observed by
the petitioners are not vague.
The definition of private health care service provider must be seen in relation to Section 4(n) of the RH Law which defines a public
health service provider. The private health care institution cited under Section 7 should be seen as synonymous to private health care
service provider.
The terms service and methods are also broad enough to include providing of information and rendering of medical procedures.
Thus, hospitals operated by religious groups are exempted from rendering RH service and modern family planning methods (as provided
for by Section 7 of the RH Law) as well as from giving RH information and procedures.
The RH Law also defines incorrect information. Used together in relation to Section 23 (a)(1), the terms incorrect and knowingly
connote a sense of malice and ill motive to mislead or misrepresent the public as to the nature and effect of programs and services on
reproductive health.
7. NO. To provide that the poor are to be given priority in the governments RH program is not a violation of the equal protection
clause. In fact, it is pursuant to Section 11, Article XIII of the Constitution, which states that the State shall prioritize the needs of the
underprivileged, sick elderly, disabled, women, and children and that it shall endeavor to provide medical care to paupers.
The RH Law does not only seek to target the poor to reduce their number, since Section 7 of the RH Law prioritizes poor and
marginalized couples who are suffering from fertility issues and desire to have children. In addition, the RH Law does not prescribe the
number of children a couple may have and does not impose conditions upon couples who intend to have children. The RH Law only
seeks to provide priority to the poor.
The exclusion of private educational institutions from the mandatory RH education program under Section 14 is valid. There is a need to
recognize the academic freedom of private educational institutions especially with respect to religious instruction and to consider their
sensitivity towards the teaching of reproductive health education.
8. NO. The requirement under Sec. 17 of the RH Law for private and non-government health care service providers to render 48 hours
of pro bono RH services does not amount to involuntary servitude, for two reasons. First, the practice of medicine is undeniably
imbued with public interest that it is both the power and a duty of the State to control and regulate it in order to protect and promote the
public welfare. Second, Section 17 only encourages private and non-government RH service providers to render pro bono service.
Besides the PhilHealth accreditation, no penalty is imposed should they do otherwise.
However, conscientious objectors are exempt from Sec. 17 as long as their religious beliefs do not allow them to render RH service, pro
bono or otherwise (See Part 3b of this digest.)

SOURCE: ONLINE