status ante quo order n consolidated rh case and dissenting opinion

7/29/2019 Status Ante Quo Order n Consolidated RH Case and Dissenting Opinion

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Sirs/Mesdames:

31\epublic of tbe ~ b i l i p p i n e ~~ u p r e m e QCourt

j}ffi.anilaENBANCNOTICE

Please take notice that the Court en bane issued a Resolutiondated MARCH 19, 2013, which reads as follows:"G.R. No. 204819 (James M. Imbong and Lovely-Ann C. Imbong,for themselves and in behalf of their minor children, Lucia Carlos Imbong

and Bernadette Carlos Imbong and Magnificat Child Development Center,Inc. vs. Hon. Paquito N. Ochoa, Jr., Executive Secretary, et al.); G.R. No.204934 (Alliance for the Family Foundation Philippines, Inc. [ALFI],represented by its President Maria Concepcion S. Noche, et al. vs. Hon.Paquito N. Ochoa, Executive Secretary, et al.); G.R. No. 204957 (TaskForce for Family and Life Visayas, Inc. and Valeriano S. Avila vs. Hon.Paquito N. Ochoa, Jr., Executive Secretary, et al.); G.R. No. 204988(Serve Life Cagayan de Oro City Inc., represented by Dr. Nestor B.Lumicao, M.D., as President and in his personal capacity, et al. vs. Office ofthe President, et al.); G.R. No. 205003 (Expedito A. Bugarin, Jr. vs.Office of the President of the Republic of the Philippines, et al.); G.R. No.205043 (Eduardo B. Olaguer and Catholic Xybrspace Apostolate of thePhilippines vs. DOH Secretary Enrique T. Ona, et al.); G.R. No. 205138(Philippine Alliance of XSeminarians, Inc., et al. vs. Hon. Paquito N.Ochoa, Jr., Executive Secretary, et al.); G.R. No. 205478 (Reynaldo J.Echavez, M.D., et al. vs. Hon. Paquito N. Ochoa, Jr., Executive Secretary, etal.); G.R. No. 205491 (Sps. Francisco S. T a t ~ d and Maria Fenny C. Tatad,et al. vs. Office of the President of the Republic of the Philippines); andG.R. No. 205720 (Pro-Life Philippines Foundation Inc., et al. vs. Officeof the President, et al.).- Acting on the Manifestation and Motion datedMarch 8, 2013 filed by the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) in G.R.Nos. 205478 and 205491, as well as OSG's Motion for Further Extension ofTime to File Consolidated Comment dated March 4, 2013, the CourtResolved to

(a) CONSOLIDATE G.R. Nos. 205478, 205491 and205720 with G.R. Nos. 204819, 204934, 204957, 204988,205003, 205043 and 205138;

(b) GRANT the OSG until April3, 2013 within whichto file a consolidated comment on the petitions;


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Notice of Resolution -2 - G.R. No. 204819, et al.March 19, 2013

(c) REQUIRE the petitioners to file their respectiveREPLIES within a NON-EXTENDIBLE period of ten (1o)days from receipt of the comment/s of the respondents; and

(d) REQUIRE the petitioners-in-intervention to filea REPLY within a NON-EXTENDIBLE period of ten (10)days from receipt of the comment of the respondents.The Court further Resolved to

(a) SET the cases for ORAL ARGUMENTS onJune 18, 2013, Tuesday, at 2:00p.m. at the New Session Hall,New Supreme Court Building, Padre Faura St., Ermita,Manila; and

(b) by a vote of 10-5, ISSUE a STATUS QUOANTE ORDER, effective immediately and for a period of onehundred twenty (120) days, requiring the parties to observethe status quo prevailing before the issuance of Republic ActNo. 10354 (An Act Providing for a National Policy onResponsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health)." Leonen,J., dissented and joined by Sereno, C.J., and Carpio, DelCastillo and Perlas-Bernabe, JJ.. (adv35, 36 & 65)

Very truly yours,

(With Dissenting Opinion ofJustice Leonen)


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Resolution

Atty James M. 1mbong and Jo Aurea M. lmbong (x)lmbong and Castro Law OfficesCounsel for Petitioners/ G.R. No. 204819Unit 304 Senor Ivan de Palacio Building139 Malakas St., Diliman, Quezon CityAtty. Maria Concepcion S. Noche (x)Counsel for Petitioners/G.R. No. 204934MCS NOCHE LAW OFFICE91 Melchor StreetLoyola Heights, Quezon CityAtty. Makilito B. Mahinay (reg)Counsel for Petitioners/G.R. No. 204957Diamond St., cor. Jade St., Francisca Village6th St., Happy Valley, Cebu CityAtty. Expedito A. Bugarin, Jr. (reg)Petitioner in G.R. No. 205003No. 19 Country Club VillageBanilad, Cebu CityAtty. Noel A. Clemente (x)Counsel for Petitioner in G.R. No. 205043Penthouse, Aurora Milestone Tower1045 Aurora Blvd., Quezon CityAttys. Earl Anthony C. Gambe and Marion I. Yap (reg)Counsel for Petitioners in G.R. No. 204988Gambe and Yap Law OfficesMandumol, Upper Macasandig,Cagayan de Oro CityAtty. Ricardo M. Ribo (x)Counsel for Petitioners PAX in G.R. No. 205138Rm. 206 Reza Building1318 Quezon Avenue, Quezon CityAttys. Howard M. Calleja and Ramon Andre F.

Cedro (x)Counsel for Petitioners in G.R. No. 205478Unit 1903-A, West Tower, PSE CentreExchange Road, Ortigas Center, 1605 Pasig CityAtty. Alan F. Paguia (x)Counsel for Petitioners in G.R. No. 205491Unit 412 Corporate 101 Building101 Mother lgnacia St., Barangay South Triangle1103 Quezon CityAttys. Rufino L. Policarpio Ill, Cristina A. Montes, andJeremy I. Gatdula (x)Counsel for Petitioners in G.R. No. 205720Policarpio and Acorda Law Office903 Richmonde Plaza, San Miguel Ave.cor. Lourdes Drive, Ortigas Center, 1605 Pasig City

-3- G.R. No. 204819, et al.

Atty. Samson S. Alcantara (x)Petitioner-in-Intervention

March 19, 2013

Suite 1402, 14th Fir., Manila Astral TowerTaft Avenue cor. P. Faura St., Ermita, ManilaSolicitor General Francis H. Jardeliza (x)Office of the Solicitor General134 Amorsolo St., Legaspi Village1229 Makati CityHis Excellency Benigno Simeon C. Aquino Ill (x)Office of the PresidentMalacanang Palace, ManilaSenate of the Philippines (x)c/o Senate President Juan Ponce EnrileGSIS Building, Financial CenterRoxas Blvd., Pasay CityHouse of Representatives (x)c/o Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr.Batasan Bldg., Batasan HillsDiliman, Quezon CityHon. Paquito N. Ochoa, Jr. (x)Executive SecretaryPremier Guest House,Malacanang , J.P. Laurel Sr. St., ManilaSecretary Florencio B. Abad (x)Department of Budget and ManagementGen. Solano St., San1'v1iguei,ManilaSecretary Enrique T. Ona M.D. (x)Department of HealthSan Lazaro Compound, Sta. Cruz, ManilaSecretary Armin A. Luistro, FSC (x)Department of EducationDepED Complex, Meralco Avenue, Pasig CitySecretary Manuel A. Roxas II (x)Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)EDSA cor. Mapagmahal St., Diliman, Quezon CitySecretary Corazon Soliman (x)Department of Social Welfare and DevelopmentConstitution Hills, Diliman, Quezon CityHon. Arsenio M. Balisacan (x)Socio-Economic Planning Secretary and NEDADirector General, 12 Saint Josemaria Escriva Drive,Ortigas Center, Pasig CityPhilippine Commission on Women (x)c/o Chairperson Remedios lgnacio-Rikken1145 J.P. Laurel St., San Miguel, Manila


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Resolution

Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (x)c/o President Eduardo BanzonCitystate Centre, 709 Shaw Blvd., 1603 Pasig CityAttys. Ibarra M. Gutierrez Ill &Juan Alfonso P.Torrevillas (x)Counsel for Intervenors Ana Theresia "Risa"Hontiveros et al.No. 36-B MadasaUn St., Brgy. SikatunaDiliman, Quezon CityLeague of Cities of the Philippines (x)c/o President Oscar RodriguezJlh Fir., Unit J & K,CyberOne BuildingEastwood Barangay Bagumbayan, Quezon CityLeague of Municipalities of the Philippines (x)c/o President Donato Marcos2"d Fir., LMP Building, 265 Ermin Garcia St.Cubao, Quezon CityHon. Suzette H. Lazo (x)Food and Drugs AdministrationCivic Drive, Filinvest Corporate CityAlabang. 1781 Muntinlupa CityLeague of Provinces of the Philippines (x)c/o President Alfonso UmaliUnit 1510 West Tower, Philippine Stock Exchange

CenterExchange Road, Ortigas Center, Pasig CityPublic Information Office (x)Supreme CourtAtty. Corazon D. Delos Reyes (x)Deputy Clerk of Court and ChiefJudicial Records OfficeSupreme CourtG.R. No. 204819, G.R. No. 204934, G.R. No. 204957,

G.R. No. 204988, G.R. No. 205003, G.R. No. 205043G.R. No. 205138, G.R. No. 205478, G.R. No. 205491& G.R. No. 205720 consol. With G.R. Nos. 205478,205491 and 205720nmr/31913[adv 35,36 &65]32013WoR

-4- G.R. No. 2 0 4 8 1 9 , e t ~ .March 19, 2013


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l\epublic of tbe ~ b i l i p p i n e s~ u p r e m e QI:ourt

;fManila

ENBANCG.R. No. 204819 (James M Imbong and Lovely-Ann C. Jmbong, et al.

v. Hon. Paquito N. Ochoa, Jr., Executive Secretary, et al.)G.R. No. 204934 (Alliance for the Family Foundation Philippines,

Inc. (ALFI), et al., v. Hon. Paquito N. Ochoa, Jr., Executive Secretary, et al.)G.R. No. 204957 (Task Force for Family and Life Visayas, Inc. and

Valeriano S. Avila v. Hon. Paquito N. Ochoa, Jr., Executive Secretary et al.)G.R. No. 204988 (Serve Life Cagayan de Oro City Inc. et al. v. Officeof he President et al.)G.R. No. 205003 (Expedito A. Bugarin, Jr. v. Office of he President of

the Republic of he Philippines, et al.)G.R. No. 205043 (Eduardo B. Olaguer and the Catholic XybrspaceApostolate of he Philippines v. DOH Secretary Enrique T. Ona, et al.)

G.R. No. 205138 (Philippine Alliance of XSeminarians, Inc. v. Hon.Paquito N. Ochoa, Jr., Executive Secretary, et al.) G.R. No. 205478 (Reynaldo J Echavez, MD., et al. v. Hon. Paquito

N. Ochoa, Jr., Executive Secretary, et al.)G.R. No. 205491 (Sps. Francisco S. Tatad and Maria Fenny C. Tatad,et al. v. Office of he President of he Republic of he Philippines)G.R. No. 205720 (Pro-Life Philippines Foundation, Inc., et al. v.

Office of he President, et al.)Promulgated: .. y.}March 19, 2 0 ~ 3 ~ ~

x - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ~ x


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Dissenting Opinion

LEONEN, J.:I dissent.

2 G.R. Nos. 204819,204934,204957,204988,205003,205043,205138,205478,205491 &205720

DISSENTING OPINION

Under present circumstances, I vote against the issuance of the StatusQuo Ante Order effectively suspending the implementation of Republic ActNo. 10354, otherwise known as the Responsible Parenthood andReproductive Health Act of 2012. The issuance of the Order runs counter toestablished principles of constitutional litigation. It also underestimates thecomplexity of the issues confronting the Court.

Well settled is the principle that statutes enjoy the presumption ofconstitutionality. Unless it is clearly shown that a law runs counter to theConstitution, any attack against its validity must be rejected and a law mustbe upheld. To doubt is to sustain. 1

This fundamental principle was best explained by the Court, speakingthrough Justice Jose P. Laurel, in People v. Vera: 2

This court is not unmindful of the fundamental criteria in cases ofthis nature that all reasonable doubts should be resolved in favor of theconstitutionality of a statute. An act of the legislature approved by theexecutive, is presumed to be within constitutional limitations. Theresponsibility of upholding the Constitution rests not on the courts alonebut on the legislature as well. 1 The question of the validity of every statuteis first determined by .the legislative depmiment of the government itself. 1(U.S. vs. Ten Yu [1912], 24 Phil., 1, 10; Case vs. Board of Health andHeiser [1913], 24 Phil., 250, 276; U.S. vs. Joson [1913], 26 Phil., 1.) Anda statute finally comes before the courts sustained by the sanction of theexecutive. The members of the Legislature and the Chief Executive havetaken an oath to support the Constitution and it must be presumed thatthey have been true to this oath and that in enacting and sanctioning aparticular law they did not intend to violate the Constitution. The courtscannot but cautiously exercise its power to ovetiurn the solemndeclarations of two of the three grand departments of the government. (6R. C. L., p. 101.) Then, there is that peculiar political philosophy whichbids the judiciary to reflect the wisdom of the people as expressed throughan elective Legislature and an elective Chief Executive. It follows,therefore, that the comis will not set aside a law as violative of theConstitution except in a clear case. This is a proposition too plain to

Philippine Judges Association v. Prado, G.R. No. 105371, November II , 1993.227 SCRA 703,706.65 Phil. 56 (1937).


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Dissenting Opinion 3 G.R. Nos. 204819, 204934,204957,204988,205003,205043,205138,205478,205491 &205720

require a citation of authorities. [Underscoring supplied]

The statute under our consideration was deliberated by both Houses ofCongress and gained the approval of the President of the Philippines.Republic Act No. I 0354 is the product of years of advocacy for or againstmany of the provisions. It has stirred passionate, relentless, and publicdebates. We can take judicial notice that large portions of the periods ofinterpellation and amendments at the plenary sessions of the House ofRepresentatives and the Senate were shown on nationwide television. Theissues it generated constantly inhabited the front pages of our leadingnewspapers and were dissected in full public view. These issues were alsothe subject ofvarious discussions in international media.

The presumption of constitutionality holds especially for thiscontroversial piece of social legislation. It holds especially when what weare considering is temporary or interim reliefs that we are to grant for thePetitioners. Our doctrinal framework holds that in case of doubt we mustassume that the public officers in our political departments as well as thepublic considered not only the same text of the Constitution that we workwith but also the jurisprudence behind that text.

I do not find comfort in voting for the issuance of the Status Quo AnteOrder or a Temporary Restraining Order without the Petitioners beingrequired to plead and include the Implementing Rules and Regulations andits effects. I do believe that we should consider the points raised by theComment-in-Intervention that we have earlier admitted. I think that we mayeven need to wait until the respondents have filed their respectiveComments. The better part of judicial prudence should have been to fulfil allthese to ferret out the true issues capable of udicial determination.

Our Constitution expects us to be more deliberate in the heat ofvociferous public debate that occasionally wades into issues of morality andconscience. We need to have all arguments laid out before us so that we canruminate and discuss among ourselves how these square with ourConstitution and our jurisprudence. The restraint we should 1mpose onourselves is not passive irresponsibility. It is constitutional duty.

After all, the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of2012 is a piece of social legislation. The political branches of thegovernment accountable to our people through election have deemed itprudent to address harm existing in the status quo. The status quo that werequire therefore may not be benign. Precaution for our cherished rights maynot be better protected by stopping the implementation of this law.


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Dissenting Opinion 4 G.R. Nos. 204819,204934,204957,204988,205003,205043,205138,205478, 205491 &205720

The threat of prosecution on those who act in accordance with theirconscience is still inchoate. We can point to no actual or imminent case,unlike many of the cases where this was an argument for us to issue atemporary restraining order. The Petitions that were filed are thereforechallenges to the law on the basis of what it provides simply on its face. It iseven a facial challenge without benefit of the Implementing Rules andRegulations in the pleadings.

That what we have issued is only a Status Quo Ante Order and not aTemporary Restraining Order or that we have given it a life for only 120days does not cure what I view to be an inconsistency with soundjurisprudential insight. Neither is it helpful that the vote we took was not yeton the constitutionality of the statute and our final positions on the issuesinvolved. I see no reason why we could not wait until the oral argumentshave been conducted in June of this year.

I concede that we all cherish the same values congealed in constitutionalprovisions mandating the right to life albeit perhaps with its manyincarnations. I also concede that we are still open to reasoned argument evenas we may have tentative views on the law and how it squares with theConstitution. However, what we entertained was a doubt. Without the kindof actual controversy required by Article VIII, Section 1, Paragraph 2 of theConstitution, we should have first clarified that doubt rather than to haveacted on it.

This presumption of constitutionality holds in all cases except wherewhat is involved is a "system of prior restraints of expression". In SocialWeather Stations v. Commission on Elections: 3

[A ]ny system of prior restraints of expression comes to this Courtbearing a heavy presumption against its constitutional validity.... TheGovernment 'thus carries a heavy burden of showing justification for theenforcement of such restraint.' There is thus a reversal of the normalpresumption of validity that inheres in every legislation. [Underscoringsupplied]

Needless to say, the statute under our consideration does not involve a"system of prior restraint of expression". There is no reason to approachRepublic Act No. 10354 with a disposition that is suspicious of itsconstitutionality.

409 Phil. 571, 585 (2001); citing New York Times v. United States, 403 U.S. 713, 714, 29 L. Ed. 2d822,824 (1971). ~


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Dissenting Opinion 5 G.R. Nos. 204819, 204934,204957,204988,205003,205043,205138,205478,205491 &205720

I vote to deny the Temporary Restraining Order. I vote that we do notissue the Status Quo Ante Order. I vote that we order the parties to move inthe premises to plead the Implementing Rules and Regulations and set thecase for Oral Arguments at the soonest possible time.

Associate Justice

'':..


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,.

3Repuhlic of tbe !lbilippine%$upreme QI:ourt

;ffmanilaENBANC

JAMES M. IMBONG and LOVELYANN C. IMBONG, for themselves andon behalf of their minor children, LuciaCarlos Imbong and Bernadette CarlosImbong and MAGNIFICAT CHILDDEVELOPMENT CENTER, INC.,Petitioners,

-versus-Hon. PAQUITO N. OCHOA, JR.,Executive Secretary, Hon.FLORENCIO B. ABAD, Secretary,Department of Budget and Management,Hon. ENRIQUE T. ONA, Secretary,Department of Health, Hon. ARMIN A.LUISTRO, Secretary, Department ofEducation and Hon. MANUEL A.ROXAS, Secretary, Department ofInterior and Local Government ,Respondents.J(- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -J(ALLIANCE FOR THE FAMILYFOUNDATION PHILIPPINES, INC.[ALFI], represented by its President,Maria Concepcion S. Noche, Sps.REYNALDO S. LUISTRO andROSIE B. LUISTRO, JOSE S.SANDEJAS and ELENITA S.A.SANDEJAS, ARTURO M. GORREZand MERIETTA C. GORREZ,SALVADOR S. MANTE, JR. andHAZELEEN L. MANTE, ROLANDOM. BAUTISTA and MARIA FELISAS. BAUTISTA, DESIDERIO RACHOand TRAQUILINA RACHO,FERNAND ANTONIO A.TANSINGCO and CAROL ANNE C.TANSINGCO, for themselves and onbehalf of their minor children, ThereseAntonette C. Tansingco, Lorenzo Jose C.Tansingco, Miguel Fernando C.Tansingco, Carlo Josemaria C. Tansingco

G.R. No. 204819

G.R. No. 204934


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Status Quo Ante Order - 2 -

and Juan Paolo C. Tansingco, Sps.MARIANO V. ARANETA andEILEEN Z. ARANETA, for themselvesand on behalf of their minor children,Ramon Carlos Z. Araneta and MayaAngelica Z. Araneta, Sps. RENATO C.CASTOR and MILDRED C.CASTOR, for themselves and on behalfof their minor children, Renz Jeffrey C.Castor, Joseph Ramil C. Castor, JohnPaul C. Castor and Raphael C. Castor,Sps. ALEXANDER R. RACHO andZARA Z. RACHO, for themselves andon behalf of their minor children,Margarita Racho, Mikaela Racho, MartinRacho, Mari Racho and Manalo Racho,Sps. ALFRED R. RACHO andFRANCINE R. RACHO, forthemselves and on behalf of their minorchildren, Michael Racho, Mariana Racho,Rafael Racho, Maxi Racho, ChessieRacho and Laura Racho, Sps. DAVIDR. RACHO and ARMILYN A.RACHO, for themselves and on behalfof their minor child, Gabriel Racho,MINDY M. JUATAS and on behalf ofher minor children, Elijah Gerald Juatasand Elian Gabriel Juatas, SALV ACIONM. MONTEIRO, EMILY R. LAWS,JOSEPH R. LAWS and KATRINA R.LAWS, Petitioners,

- versus-Hon. PAQUITO N. OCHOA, JR.,Executive Secretary, Hon. ENRIQUET. ONA, Secretary of the Department ofHealth, Hon. ARMIN A. LUISTRO,Secretary of the Department ofEducation, Hon. CORAZONSOLIMAN, Secretary of the Departmentof Social Welfare and Development,Hon. MANUEL A. RO:XAS II,Secretary of the Department of Interiorand Local Government, Hon.FLORENCIO B. ABAD, Secretary ofBudget and Management, Hon.ARSENIO M. BALISACAN, SocioEconomic Planning Secretary and NEDADirector-General, The PHILIPPINECOMMISSION ON WOMEN,represented by its Chairperson,Remedios Ignacio-Rikken, ThePHILIPPINE HEALTH

G.R. No. 204819, et al.March 19, 2013


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INSURANCE CORPORATION,represented by its President, EduardoBanzon, The LEAGUE OFPROVINCES OF THEPHILIPPINES, represented by itsPresident, Alfonso Umali, TheLEAGUE OF CITIES OF . THEPHILIPPINES, represented by itsPresident, Oscar Rodriguez and TheLEAGUE OF MUNICIPALITIES OFTHE PHILIPPINES, represented by itsPresident, Donato Marcos,Respondents.J{-- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -J{TASK FORCE FOR FAMILY ANDLIFE VISAYAS, INC. andVALERIANO S. AVILA,Petitioners,

- versus-Hon. PAQUITO N. OCHOA, JR.,Executive Secretary, Hon.FLORENCIO ABAD, Secretary,Department of Budget and Management,Hon. ENRIQUE T. ONA, Secretary,Department of Education and Hon.MANUEL A. ROXAS II, Secretary,Department of Interior and LocalGovernment, Respondents.J{-- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -J{SERVE LIFE CAGAYAN DE OROCITY, INC., represented by Dr. NestorB. Lumicao, M.D., as President and in hispersonal capacity, .ROSEVALEFOUNDATION, INC., represented byDr. Rodrigo M. Alenton, M.D., asMember of the School Board and in hispersonal capacity, ROSEMARIE R.ALENTON, IMELDA G. IBARRA,CPA, LOVENIA P. NACES, PhD.,ANTHONY G. NAGAC, EARLANTHONY C. GAMBE and MARLONI. YAP, Petitioners,

- versus-OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT,SENATE OF THE PHILIPPINES,HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,Hon. PAQUITO N. OCHOA, JR.,

G.R. No. 204819, eta!.March 19, 2013

G.R. No. 204957

G.R. No. 204988


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Status Quo Ante Order - 4-

Executive Secretary, Hon.FLORENCIO B. ABAD, Secretary,Department of Budget and Management,Hon. ENRIQUE T. ONA, Secretary,Department of Health, Hon. ARMIN A.LUISTRO, Secretary, Department ofEducation and Hon. MANUEL A.ROXAS II , Secretary, Department ofInterior and Local Government,Respondents.J(-- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -J(EXPEDITO A. BUGARIN, JR.,Petitioner,

- versus-OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT of theRepublic of the Philippines, Hon.SENATE PRESIDENT, Hon.SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OFREPRESENTATIVES and Hon.SOLICITOR GENERAL,Respondents.J(-- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -J(EDUARDO B.CATHOLICAPOSTOLATEPHILIPPINES,

OLAGUER andXYBRSPACE

OF THEPetitioners,

- versus-DOH Secretary ENRIQUE T. ONA,FDA Director SUZETTE H. LAZO,DBM Secretary FLORENCIO B.ABAD, DILG Secretary MANUEL A.ROXAS II and DECS SecretaryARMIN A. LUISTRO,Respondents.J ( - - - - - - - - - - - - - ---------- -J(PHILIPPINE ALLIANCE OFXSEMINARIANS, INC. [PAX],represented by its National President,Atty. RICARDO M. RIBO and in hisown behalf, Atty. LINO E.A. DUMAS,ROMEO B. ALMONTE, OSMUNDOC. ORLANES, ARSENIO Z. MENOR,SAMUEL J . YAP, JAIME F. MATEO,ROLLY SIGUAN, DANTE E.MAGDANGAL, MICHAELEUGENIO 0 . PLANA, BIENVENIDOC. MIGUEL, JR., LANDRITO M.

G.R. No. 204819, eta!.March 19,2013

G.R. No. 205003

G.R. No. 205043

G.R. No. 205138


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DIOKNO and BALDOMEROFALCONE, Petitioners,- versus-

Hon. PAQUITO N. OCHOA, JR.,Executive Secretary, Hon.FLORENCIO B. ABAD, Secretary,Department of Budget and Management,Hon. ENRIQUE T. ONA, Secretary,Department of Health, Hon. ARMIN A.LUISTRO, Secretary, Department ofEducation, Hon. MANUEL A. ROXASII , Secretary, Department of the Interiorand Local Government, Hon.CORAZON J. SOLIMAN, Secretary,Department of Social Welfare andDevelopment, Hon. ARSENIOBALISACAN, Director-General,National Economic and DevelopmentAuthority, Hon. SUZETTE H. LAZO,Director-General, Food and DrugsAdministration, The BOARD OFDIRECTORS, Philippine HealthInsurance Corporation, and TheBOARD OF COMMISSIONERS,Philippine Commission on Women,Respondents.J { - - - - - - - - - - - - - ---------- -J{REYNALDO J. ECHAVEZ, M.D.,JACQUELINE H. KING, M.D.,CYNTHIA T. DOMINGO, M.D., andJOSEPHINE MILLADO-LUMITAO,M.D., collectively known as Doctors forLife, and ANTHONY PEREZ,MICHAEL ANTHONY G. MAPA,CARLOS ANTONIO PALAD,WILFREDO JOSE, CLAIRENAVARRO, ANNA COSIO andGABRIEL DY LIACCO, collectivelyknown as Filipinos for Life,Petitioners,

- versus-Hon. PAQUITO N. OCHOA, JR.,Executive Secretary, Hon.FLORENCIO B. ABAD, Secretary ofthe Department of Budget andManagement, Hon. ENRIQUE T.ONA, Secretary of the Department ofHealth, Hon. ARMIN A. LUISTRO,Secretary of the Department of

G.R. No. 204819, et al.March 19,2013

G.R. No. 205478


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Education and Hon. MANUEL A.ROXAS, Secretary of the Department ofInterior and Local Government,

Respondents.) { - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - -- - - - - -) {Sps. FRANCISCO S. TATAD andMARIA FENNY C. TATAD, andALAN F. PAGUJA, for themselves,their posterity and the rest of Filipinoposterity, Petitioners,

- versus-OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT of theRepublic of the Philippines,Respondent.){- - -- - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - ) {PRO-LIFE PHILIPPINESFOUNDATION INC., represented byLORNA MELEGRITO, as ExecutiveDirector and in her personal capacity,JOSELYN B. BASILIO, ROBERT Z.CORTES, ARIEL A. CRISOSTOMO,JEREMY I. GATDULA, CRISTINAA. MONTES, RAUL ANTONIO A.NIDOY, WINSTON CONRAD B.PADOJINOG and RUFINO L.POLICARPIO III,Petitioners,

- versus-OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT,SENATE OF THE PHILIPPINES,HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,Hon. PAQUITO N. OCHOA, JR.,Executive Secretary, Hon.FLORENCIO B. ABAD, Secretary,Department of Budget and Management,Hon. ENRIQUE T. ONA, Secretary,Department of Health, Hon. ARMIN A.LUISTRO, Secretary, Department ofEducation and Hon. MANUEL A.ROXAS II , Secretary, Department ofInterior and Local Government,Respondents.){------------- - - - - - - - - - - - ) {

G.R. No. 204819, et al.March 19,2013

G.R. No. 205491

G.R. No. 205720

STATUS QUO ANTEORDER


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Status Quo Ante Order - 7- G.R. No. 204819, et al.

TO: Attys. James M. Imbong andJo Aurea M. Imbong (x)Counsels for Petitioners in G.R. No. 204819Imbong and Castro Law OfficesUnit 304 Sefior Ivan de Palacio Building139 Malakas St., Dil imanQuezon CityAtty. Maria Concepcion S. Noche (x)Counsel for Petitioners in G.R. No. 204934MCS Noche Law Office91 Melchor Street, Loyola HeightsQuezon CityAtty. Makilito B. Mahinay (reg)Counsel for Petitioners in G.R. No. 204957Diamond St. cor. Jade St.Francisca Village, 6th Street, Happy ValleyCebu City Attys. Earl Anthony C. Gambe and Marlon I. Yap (x)Counsels for Petitioners in G.R. No. 204988Gambe and Yap Law OfficesMandumol, Upper MacasandigCagayan de Oro CityAtty. Expedito A. Bugarin, Jr . (reg)Petitioner in G.R. No. 205003No. 19 Country Club Village, BaniladCebu CityAtty. Noel A. Clemente (x)Counsel for Petitioners in G.R. No. 205043Penthouse, Aurora Milestone Tower1045 Aurora BoulevardQuezon CityAtty. Ricardo M. Ribo (x)Counsel for Petitioners in G.R. No. 205138Rm. 206 Reza Building, 1318 Quezon AvenueQuezon CityAttys. Howard M. Calleja andRamon Andre F. Cedro (x)Counsels for Petitioners in G.R. No. 205478Unit 1903-A West Tower PSE CentreExchange Road, Ortigas CenterPasig City

March 19,2013


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Status Quo Ante Order - 8 - G.R. No. 204819, et al.

Atty. Alan F. Paguia (x)Counsel for Petitioners in G.R. No. 205491Unit 412 Corporate 101 Building101 Mother Ignacia St., Barangay South TriangleQuezon CityAttys. Rufino L. Policarpio III, Cristina A. Montesand Jeremy I. Gatdula (x)Coblnsels for Petitioners in G.R. No. 205720Policarpio and Acorda Law Office903 Richmonde PlazaSan Miguel Avenue cor. Lourdes Drive, Ortigas CenterPasig CityAtty. Samson S. Alcantara (x)Petitioner-in-InterventionSuite 1402 , 14th Floor, Manila Astral TowerTaft Avenue cor. P. Faura St., ErmitaManilaHis Excellency Benigna Simeon C. Aquino III (x)Office of the PresidentMalacafiang PalaceManilaSenate of the Philippines (x)cjo Senate President Juan Ponce EnrileGSIS Bldg., Reclamation AreaPasay CityHouse of Representatives (x)cjo Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr.Batasan Bldg., Batasan HillsQuezon CityExecutive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa, Jr . (x)Premier Guest House, MalacafiangJP Laurel St., San MiguelManilaSecretary Florencio B. Abad (x)Department of Budget and ManagementGen. Solano St., San MiguelManilaSecretary Enrique T. Ona (x)Department of HealthSan Lazaro CompoundManila

March 19,2013


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Status Quo Ante Order

Secretary Armin A. Luistro (x)Department of Education

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DepEd Complex, Meralco AvenuePasig CitySecretary Manuel A. Roxas II (x)Department of Interior and Local GovernmentA. Francisco Gold Condominium IIEDSA cor. Mapagmahal St., DilimanQuezon CitySecretary Corazon J. Soliman (x)Department of Social Welfare and DevelopmentBatasang Pambansa Complex, Constitution HillsQuezon CityHon. Arsenio M. Balisacan (x)Socio-Economic Planning Secretary andNEDA Director-General12 Saint J osemaria Escriva Drive, Ortigas CenterPasig CityPhilippine Commission on Women (x)cjo Chairperson Remedios Ignacio-Rikken1145 J.P. Laurel St., San MiguelManilaPhilippine Health Insurance Corporation (x)cjo President Eduardo BanzonCitystate Centre, 709 Shaw BoulevardPasig CityLeague of Provinces of the Philippines (x)c/o President Alfonso UmaliUnit 1510 West TowerPhilippine Stock Exchange CenterExchange Road, Ortigas CenterPasig CityLeague of Cities of the Philippines (x)cjo President Oscar Rodriguez7th Floor, Unit J &K, CyberOne BuildingEastwood,Brgy.BagumbayanQuezon CityLeague of Municipalities of the Philippines (x)cjo President Donato Marcos2nd Floor LMP Building265 Ermin Garcia Street, CubaoQuezon City

G.R. No. 204819, et al.March 19,2013


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Status Quo Ante Order - 10-

Solicitor General Francis H. Jardeleza (x)Office of the Solicitor General139 Amorsolo St., Legaspi VillageMakati CityDirector Suzette H. Lazo (x)Food and Drug AdministrationCivic Drive, Filinvest Corporate City, AlabangMuntinlupa CityAttys. Ibarra M. Gutierrez III andJuan Alfonso P. Torrevillas (x)Counsels for Intervenors

Ana Theresia 'Risa' Hontiveros, et al.36-B Madasalin St., Barangay Sikatuna, DilimanQuezon City

GREETINGS:

G.R. No. 204819, et al.March 19, 2013

WHEREAS, the Supreme Court, on March 19, 2013, adopted aresolution in the above-entitled cases, to wit:G.R. No. 204819 (James M. Imbong and Lovely-Ann C.Imbong, for themselves and in behalf of their minor children, LuciaCarlos Imbong and Bernadette Carlos Imbong and Magnificat ChildDevelopment Center, Inc. vs. Hon. Paquito N. Ochoa, Jr., ExecutiveSecretary, et al.); G.R. No. 204934 (Alliance for the Family

Foundation Philippines, Inc. [ALFI], represented by its PresidentMaria Concepcion S. Noche, et al. vs. Hon. Paquito N. Ochoa,Executive Secretary, et al.); G.R. No. 204957 (Task Force forFamily and Life Visayas, Inc. and Valeriano S. Avila vs. Hon.Paquito N. Ochoa, Jr., Executive Secretary, et al.); G.R. No.204988 (Serve Life Cagayan de Oro City Inc., represented by Dr.Nestor B. Lumicao, M.D., as President_and in his personal capacity,et al. vs. Office of the President, et al.); G.R. No. 205003(Expedito A. Bugarin, Jr . vs. Office of the President of the Republicof the Philippines, et al.); G.R. No. 205043 (Eduardo B. Olaguerand Catholic Xybrspace Apostolate of the Philippines vs. DOHSecretary Enrique T. Ona, et al.); G.R. No. 205138 (PhilippineAlliance of XSeminarians, Inc., et al. vs. Hon. Paquito N. Ochoa, Jr.,Executive Secretary, et al.); G.R. No. 205478 (Reynaldo J.Echavez, M.D., et al. vs. Hon. Paquito N. Ochoa, Jr., ExecutiveSecretary, et al.); G.R. No. 205491 (Sps. Francisco S. Tatad andMaria Fenny C. Tatad, et al. vs. Office of the President of theRepublic of the Philippines); and G.R. No. 205720 (Pro-LifePhilippines Foundation Inc., et al. vs. Office of the President, etal.).- Acting on the Manifestation and Motion dated March 8, 2013filed by the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) in G.R. Nos.205478 and 205491, as well as OSG's Motion for Further Extensionof Time to File Consolidated Comment dated March 4, 2013, theCourt Resolved to


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Status Quo Ante Order - 11 - G.R. No. 204819, et al.March 19,2013

(a) CONSOLIDATE G.R. Nos. 205478,205491 and 205720 with G.R. Nos. 204819, 204934,204957, 204988, 205003, 205043 and 205138;

(b) GRANT the OSG until April 3, 2013within which to file a consolidated comment on thepetitions;(c) REQUIRE the petitioners to file theirrespective REPLIES within a NON-EXTENDIBLE

period often (10) days from receipt of the commentjsof the respondents; and

(d) REQUIRE the petitioners-in-intervention to file a REPLY within a NONEXTENDIBLE period of ten (10) days from receiptof the comment of the respondents.The Court further Resolved to

(a) SET the cases for ORALARGUMENTS on June 18, 2013, Tuesday, at 2:00p.m. at the New Session Hall, New Supreme CourtBuilding, Padre Faura St., Ermita, Manila; and

(b) by' a vote of 10-5, ISSUE a STATUSQUO ANTE ORDER, effective immediately and fora period of one hundred twenty (120) days, requiringthe parties to observe the status quo prevailing beforethe issuance of Republic Act No. 10354 (An ActProviding for a National Policy on ResponsibleParenthood and Reproductive Health). Leonen, J.,dissented and joined by Sereno, C.J., and Carpio, DelCastillo and Perlas-Bernabe, JJ . (adv35, 36 & 65)

NOW, THEREFORE, effective immediately and for a period of onehundred twenty (120) days, You, Petitioners and Respondents, youragents, representatives, or persons acting in your place or stead, are herebyrequired to observe the STATUS QUO prevailing before th e issuance ofRepublic Act No. 10354 (An Act Providing for a National Policy onResponsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health).

GIVEN by the Supreme Court of the Philippines, this 19th day ofMarch 2013.

E N ~ ~ VIDALClerk of Court ""o


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Resolution

Public Information Office (x)Supreme CourtAtty. Corazon D. Delos Reyes (x)Deputy Clerk of Court and ChiefJudicial Records OfficeSupreme Court

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G.R. No. 204819; G.R. No. 204934, G.R. No. 204957,G.R. No. 204988, G.R. No. 205003, G.R. No. 205043G.R. No. 205138, G.R. No. 205478, G.R. No. 205491& G.R. No. 205720 consol. with G .R. No. 205478,G.R. No. 205491 and G.R. No. 205720nmr/31913[ 35, 36, & 65]32013WoR

G.R. No. 204819, et al.March 19, 2013

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status ante quo order n consolidated rh case and dissenting opinion

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