SC: Status quo ante order on RH law stays

MANILA, Philippines - The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday junked the petition filed by former Akbayan party-list Rep. Ana Theresia Hontiveros to lift the status quo ante order on the implementation of the Reproductive Health (RH) law.

"SC voting 10-4 denied the MR (motion for reconsideration) of Risa Hontiveros to lift the SQAO against the RH law," said Theodore Te, hed of the SC's public information office.

In her petition, Hontiveros said that the SC should lift the status quo ante order because it poses more harm than good.

“Contrary to the allegation of the petitioners, it is the suspension of the implementation of RA 10354 that is likely to cause lasting and permanent harm to a vulnerable segment of our population: mothers and their children,” she argued in a 24-page motion.

Justices voted 10-5 last March 19 to issue status quo ante order, which takes effect for 120 days.

A member of the high court explained to The Philippine Star that the majority in SC saw the need to issue the order “so as to prevent irreparable violations of constitutional rights raised in the petitions, especially if in the end these are established.”