Statement by Senate President Franklin M. Drilon on the Supreme Court's decision on the Reproductive Health Act

The High Court's ruling on the constitutionality of the Reproductive Health Act is a big victory for the Filipino people who had patiently waited for 14 long years for the passage of the RH law.

While there are some provisions which could be crucial to the effective implementation of the law but have been stricken down, we are pleased that the Supreme Court has affirmed the right of the government and its citizens to seek advancements of reproductive health policies in the country.

I personally consider the RH law as one of the landmark and most pressing legislations passed in the 15th Congress which would not have been possible without the resolve shown by the members of the previous Congress amidst their differences, the vigilance demonstrated by its staunch advocates amidst strong pressure, and the strong political will of the Aquino Aquino.

Finally, the government's hands are all free to attend fully to the needs for maternal care of millions of mothers, especially those living in the far-flung areas where basic healthcare is proven insufficient.

The Senate will exercise its oversight function over the implementation of the RH law to see to it that its desired outputs will be achieved efficiently and that its promised fruits will be felt by the Filipino people in a timely manner.

With the implementation of the RH law, our eyes should be on agencies tasked to implement it, specifically the Department of Health, to ensure that the much-needed programs that would prevent maternal deaths and other health complications affecting women, wives and mothers in the country will be put into operation.