Imbong vs Ochoa, 721 SCRA 584 (2013)

ISSUE:  SUBSTANTIAL ISSUES: Whether or not (WON) RA 10354/Reproductive Health (RH) Law is unconstitutional for violating the: Right to life Right to health Freedom of religion and right to free speech Right to privacy (marital privacy and autonomy) Freedom of e 

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 are assailing the constitutionality of RH Law on the following grounds: SUBSTANTIAL ISSUES: The RH Law violates the right to life of the unborn. The RH Law violates the right to health and the right to protection against hazardous products. The RH Law violates the right to religious freedom. The RH Law violates the constitutional provision on involuntary servitude. The RH Law violates the right to equal protection of the law. The RH Law violates the right to free speech. The RH Law is “void-for-vagueness” in violation of the due process clause of the Constitution. The RH Law intrudes into the zone of privacy of one’s family protected by the Constitution   PROCEDURAL: Whether the Court may exercise its power of judicial review over the controversy. Power of Judicial Review Actual Case or Controversy Facial Challenge Locus Standi Declaratory Relief One Subject/One Title Rule 

​DECISION:   

RATIO DECIDENDI:  SUBSTANTIAL 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.”