Cayetano: RH critics' argument on maternal death preposterous

MANILA, Philippines - For some critics of the stalled Reproductive Health Law, the number of maternal deaths may be "too few" for women to deserve attention from the government, Senator Pia Cayetano said.

Cayetano, author of the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act, made these remarks after the oral arguments on the controversial measure resumed on Tuesday before the Supreme Court.

"Their position to me today revealed the preposterousness of their position. Kasi po ang argument nila ay ganito: Dapat daw ibasura ng Korte Suprema ang RH Law, kasi raw, 160 women out of [every] 100,000 women 'lang naman' daw ang namamatay," said Cayetano, one of the intervenors in the case.

"Mas marami pa raw ang namamatay sa ibang sakit. Therefore, huwag na nating bigyan ng pansin ang mga kababaihan. Sabi nila, bakit hindi raw bigyan ng pansin ang ibang sakit?" Cayetano said in an interview with the media, a transcript of which was uploaded to the Senate website.

Anti-RH petitioners argue that SC should strike down #RHLaw because only a few women die compared to other diseases. Wow!

— pia cayetano (@piacayetano) July 23, 2013

Please don't trivialize maternal deaths. It's leaves such a bad taste. #upholdRHlaw

— pia cayetano (@piacayetano) July 23, 2013

The senator said there are several measures that aim to address other illnesses including the Sin Tax Law, PhilHealth Law, Cheaper Medicines Act, and the Graphic Health Warning Bill.

"Lahat naman po yon ay binigyan natin ng pansin. Napakababaw na ibigay bilang dahilan na '160 babae lang naman' daw ang namamatay," Cayetano said.

On Tuesday, the oral arguments on the RH Law resumed with the opponents of the questioned measure banking on religous freedom in the 1987 Constitution.

Luisito Liban, the petitioners' counsel, claimed that the RH Law not only breeds acts offensive to Catholic teachings, leads members of the Catholic church to commit a “sin” by using contraceptives.

He said a Filipino Catholic will be troubled to follow religious beliefs at the risk of facing criminal sanctions or obey the law and commit a sin.

Related story: RH Law opponents continue attacks

The Supreme Court issued a 120-day status quo ante order (SQAO) March enjoining the government from implementing the contested law after 15 consolidated petitions were filed against it.

The oral arguments, first conducted earlier this month, will resume on August 6.