Palace: No signs yet of 'Catholic revolt'

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang cannot yet say if there would be a conflict between the Aquino administration and the Catholic Church after the Supreme Court (SC) declared most parts of the Reproductive Health (RH) Law as constitutional.

Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said so far, there are also no indications that a "Catholic revolt" would take place following the SC decision on the controversial birth control measure opposed by religious groups.

"[W]hether there would be a Catholic revolt should it be true that the Supreme Court has upheld the constitutionality of the Responsible Parenthood Law is something that remains to be seen," Valte said at a televised press briefing on Tuesday.

In his newspaper column on Monday, former Sen. Francisco Tatad raised questions if the government would risk a "Catholic revolt" if the RH Law is declared legal.

Religous groups have been among the staunchest opponents of the Republic Act 10354 or the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012. They claim that it is an anti-life measure since it promotes the use of contraceptives for the artificial family planning method.

On Tuesday, the SC ruled that Republic Act 10354 or the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012 was "not unconstitutional" except for parts of Section 7, 17 and 23.

Section 7, a provision on access to family planning, states that "all accredited public health facilities shall provide a full range of modern family planning methods, which shall also include medical consultations, supplies and necessary and reasonable procedures for poor and marginalized couples having infertility issues who desire to have children."

While Valte decline to comment on the SC decision since she has yet to read it, the Palace official nonetheless said Section 7 is not the only provision on access to family planning.

Valte also assured that the government is prepared to implement the controversial measure.

"We have been ready from the day it has been signed by the President," Valte said.