A Position Paper on the Illegalization of Abortion in the Philippines

By: Krisel C. Barcenas

Introduction
Abortion is the ending of pregnancy by removing a fetus or embryo before it can survive
outside the uterus. An abortion that occurs without intervention is known as a miscarriage or
spontaneous abortion. When deliberate steps are taken to end a pregnancy, it is called an induced
abortion, or less frequently "induced miscarriage".

Article II of the 1987 Philippine Constitution says, in part, "Section 12. 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." And the Catholic Church states that its opposition to abortion follows
from a belief that human life begins at conception and that "human life must be respected and
protected absolutely from the moment of conception."

Abortion is a life or death matter. If abortion will be legalized, the church and law saying
will be ignored. However, abortion for those women who force in childbirth and pregnant
women with health problem are another issue.

Counter Argument

Many Filipino women experience unintended pregnancies especially for those women
who are victim of rape or pregnant women with health issues and because abortion is highly
stigmatized in the country, many of them undergo abortion with unsafe procedures.

If abortion will be legalized, it could provide safe procedures with the professional
assistance so women who are victim of rape can have a peace of mind. So are, pregnant women
with health issues.

However, abortion in the Philippines are not permitted under any circumstances. Many
organizations in the Philippines helps and educate young and old ages that would help stop
“rape, incest sex, sex outside of marriage and other causes of unwanted pregnancies”.

Under Philippines’ religion and under 5th God commandment “thou shalt not kill”, having
abortion is just like killing a person. Many Filipino women think they are practicing their right
because “it’s their body”, then who are we to take away the right of the unborn child? Shouldn’t
we protect their right to live, too?
My Argument

Abortion is not safe to women’s health.