Pro-life group lauds SC for extension of TRO on implants

MANILA, Philippines — The pro-life group that tried to block the Reproductive Health law before the Supreme Court lauded the extended restraining order on contraceptive implants, saying the tribunal recognized the basic issue involved.

Lawyer Girlie Noche, president of the Alliance for the Family Foundation, noted the setback to the full implementation of the controversial law, which the group, along with other petitioners, continues to question.

"A very important part of the decision is when the Supreme Court acknowledged that the issues involved in the petition were of transcendental importance," Noche said at a meeting on Friday.

For Noche, the Supreme Court's denial of the Department of Health's (DOH) motion to lift the temporary restraining order was based on the fundamental right to life of the unborn, as well as the mothers' right to health.

The view is opposite pro-RH advocates' call to make women choose whichever contraceptive device or drugs to use.

Saying that a fertilized ovum is already a living human being, Noche said it is the state's constitutional duty to protect the life of the mother and the unborn equally.

Implants, however, are feared to have an effect of making the maternal environment harsh for the fertilized ovum.

"Sabi ng Supreme Court, [the Food and Drug Administration] must re-examine (the contraceptive drugs), there and only upon determined that they are non-abortifacient state made the FDA re-certify them," Noche said.

The high tribunal issued the halt order on procuring, selling, distributing, promoting, dispensing and administering implants in June last year, in response to the group's plea noting alleged side effects of Implanon and Implanon NXT.

The court asked the FDA and the DOH to clarify the law's implementing rules on whether the questioned devices and drugs can be abortifacients. Abortion is prohibited in Philippine laws.

Meanwhile, the DOH on Monday said Health Secretary Paulyn Jean Ubial will file a motion for reconsideration to lift the TRO on the full implementation of the RH law.