I.

Title
ABORTION SHOULD BE BANNED

II. Introduction
A. Abortion is the ending of pregnancy due to removing an embryo or fetus before it
can survive outside the uterus.  An abortion that occurs spontaneously is also known as
a miscarriage. When deliberate steps are taken to end a pregnancy, it is called an induced
abortion, or less frequently an "induced miscarriage".When allowed by law, abortion in
the developed world is one of the safest procedures in medicine. Modern methods
use medicationor surgery for abortions. The drug mifepristone in combination
with prostaglandin appears to be as safe and effective as surgery during the first and second
trimester of pregnancy. The most common surgical technique involves dilating the cervix and
using a suction device. Birth control, such as the pill or intrauterine devices, can be used
immediately following abortion. Unsafe abortions(those performed by unskilled individuals,
with hazardous equipment, or in unsanitary facilities) cause 47,000 deaths and 5 million hospital
admissions each year.The physical side effects after an abortion can vary from woman to woman
and there are potential side effects and risks that you should be aware of. It is important to talk to
a health professional as well as the doctor who will perform your abortion about possible side
effects.Your period should return about 4-6 weeks after the abortion, and you can get
pregnant again soon after the abortion.If your doctor has prescribed antibiotics, it is important to
take them as directed in order to help prevent infection.Abdominal pain and cramping, nausea,
vomiting, diarrhea, spotting and bleeding are frequently experienced after an abortion. Only a
woman who is pregnant has a right to decide whether to do abortion or to keep a baby, provided
she is of sound mind. Neither doctors, nor anti-abortion activists will have to take care of a baby,
but it is a woman who has to decide whether she is capable and ready for that.The current stage
of the medicine development enables doctors to detect any possible problems that a woman can
have while giving a birth to a child. So, if doctors are sure that giving a birth to a child can be
dangerous for a woman, they may convince her to make an abortion.The similar situation is with
a baby. If doctors diagnose that a baby is very likely to have a disease after birth, a woman has to
decide whether to make an abortion or to give a birth to a child, who can later on suffer for the
rest of it’s life.If a woman got pregnant after a rape, then having an abortion is a way to get rid
both of an unwanted baby and the psychological trauma after such a dire experience.There will
probably never be a clear answer to whether abortion should be legal or not, whether it is morally
right, or if it is the biggest crime a person can commit. Anyway, people have to deal with
someone else’s life, one of the most valuable things a person can have, so it is necessary to think
carefully and consider every detail.The attitude towards abortion has always been and still is
very controversial. It has, however, changed throughout the history of humanity: for example, it
was commonly accepted in the times of Ancient Greece and Rome. On the other hand, majority
of men were against abortion as they felt they were entitled to have a baby. There are a few
references to abortion in an Old Testament, where a fetus was perceived rather than an object,
not a living being. In other words, there was a law, that if a person causes a miscarriage, he must
be punished for that. There are no references to this topic in the New Testament. Later on,
abortion in the western world was not considered a crime if done before a certain period, usually
before 18-20 weeks. It was a common practice in the colonial America, but was usually kept in
secret, as sexual activity before marriage was disapproved by the society.
 B. Abortion is the way of killing the unborn. Most of the time, teenagers do this kind of
things because they are lack of knowledge and guidance from their parent. For them, abortion is
the key to escape in their responsibilities as a parent and to protect their image from the
surrounding. Abortion can cause mental disorder anddepression that ends in suicidal. Nowadays,
unwanted pregnancies are rape victims and teenagers. Some are poor, abandoned by their parents
or came from broken family and has a low self esteem to face every challenges in their lives.
Women should not be able to use abortion as a form of contraception. It is immoral to kill an
unborn child for convenience.
III. Arguments on the issue
A. Summary of the argument
Abortion should be banned because it is a crime.
B. Information that supports the argument
Even if it is a fetus, it is still a process of killing someone who deserves to
live.Abortion can often lead to serious complications, injury to the uterus or cervix if done by
unskilled doctor, or serious infection.Some of the factors, including the above mentioned
complications, can lead to a risk of not being able to become pregnant again.It is a stressful and
unpleasant experience, and a person can feel depressed and guilty for the rest of the life.
Abortion can affect the next baby when you become pregnant again, they might have mental or
physical disabilities like down syndrome.The Catholic Church opposes all forms of abortion
procedures whose direct purpose is to destroy a zygote, blastocyst, embryo or fetus, since it holds
that "human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception.
From the first moment of his existence, a human being must be recognized as having the rights
of a person.
C. Evidences
Police in Lundazi have arrested a 26-year-old married woman for what
they call ‘unlawfully’ terminating her five-months pregnancy.Also arrested is a 54-year-old
woman who aided the young woman in terminating the pregnancy.

IV. Stand on the issue

Point no. 1
Abortionis a process of killing human specifically the baby inside the womb of a woman
with the use of medicines or surgeries. Because it is a crime, the woman who undergo abortion
might arrest and also the surgeon who did the surgery of abortion.
a. Opinion
Abortion is against the law because it is a process of killing. It is said that the
woman who undergo abortion mightbe arrested based on the law of the Philippines. Physicians
and midwives who perform abortions in the Philippines with the consent of a pregnant woman
may face up to six years in prison under the Revised Penal Code.
 b. Evidences
Article II of the 1987 Philippine Constitution says, in part, "Section 12. This
article needs to be updated. In particular: It is missing the provisions of the RA 10354, the
Abortion Learn more 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."The act is criminalized by Philippine
law. Articles 256, 258 and 259 of the Revised Penal Code of the Philippines mandate
imprisonment for women who undergo abortion, as well as for any person who assists in the
procedure. Article 258 further imposes a higher prison term on the woman or her parents if the
abortion is undertaken "in order to conceal [the woman's] dishonor".There is no law in the
Philippines that expressly authorizes abortions in order to save the woman's life; and the
general provisions which do penalize abortion make no qualifications if the woman's life is
endangered. It may be argued that an abortion to save the mother's life could be classified as a
justifying circumstance (duress as opposed to self-defense) that would bar criminal prosecution
under the Revised Penal Code. However, this has yet to be adjudicated by the Philippine
Supreme Court.The Reproductive Health (RH) Law does not promote or pave the way to
abortion, since it even states that abortion remains illegal in the Philippines.The Responsible
Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012 (Republic Act No. 10354), informally known
as the Reproductive Health Law. It discusses the provisions of the proposed bill, but not of the
law as passed. Learn more RH Law, is a law in the Philippines, which guarantees universal
access to methods in contraception, fertility control, sexual education, and maternal care.

Point no.2
Abortion is against the bible. The bible says that “you shall not murder”. It is one
of the ten commandments that were given by the God.The legitimate defense of persons and
societies is not an exception to the prohibition against the murder of the innocent that
constitutes intentional killing. Legitimate defense can be not only a right but a grave duty for
one who is responsible for the lives of others.The sixth commandment forbids direct and
intentional killing as gravely sinful. The murderer and those who cooperate voluntarily in
murder commit a sin that cries out to heaven for vengeance.

a. Opinion
According to the bible, killing or ending one’s life is a sin. Human life is
sacred because from its beginning it involves the creative action of God and it remains forever
in a special relationship with the Creator, who is its sole end. God alone is the Lord of life from
its beginning until its end: no one can under any circumstance claim for himself the right
directly to destroy an innocent human being.

b. Evidences
Deuteronomy 5:17 “You shall not murder”.
Matthew 5:21“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not
murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’
Exodus 23:7 Keep far from a false charge, and do not kill the innocent and
righteous, for I will not acquit the wicked.
Genesis 9:6  “Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed,
for God made man in his own image.
 Romans 13:8-10 Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one
who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,
You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment,
are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to
a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
Exodus 21:22-25 “When men strive together and hit a pregnant woman,
so that her children come out, but there is no harm, the one who hit her shall surely be fined, as
the woman's husband shall impose on him, and he shall pay as the judges determine. But if there
is harm, then you shall pay life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,
burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.

Point no. 3
We’re against on abortion because it eliminates right of the baby to live in this
world. It takes of the right of the baby to see the world and the surroundings. A baby should be
born because birth is not only about making babies, it is about making mothers—strong,
competent, capable mothers who trust themselves and know their inner strength. Baby is like a
little bit of heaven sent down to the earth.

a. Opinion
When does life begin? There are those who are against abortion at any point after
conception and those who are against the termination of a pregnancy after the fetus has attained
viability, but no matter how you put it, we are talking about a human life. In the end, the lives of
the woman and her unborn child are equal, so the right to life of the unborn baby must be taken
into account. Terminating a pregnancy results in taking away the baby’s right to life. Life is
sacred, and (according to this argument) begins at conception. Free access to abortion may
encourage people to view it as a form of contraception. There is also the possibility of “selective
abortion”, where parents terminate pregnancies if scans show the fetus is the “wrong” gender,
etc. The best way to prevent such unethical abuse is to restrict access to abortion.

b. Evidences
Article 3 Section 1:
No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of
law, nor shall any person be denied the equal protection of the laws.

The Right to Live in a Family Environment

The Right to a Stable, Loving and Nurturing Environment
The Right to Healthcare & Nutrition
The Right to Clean Water, Electrical Power, and Safe Environment.
The Right to a Quality Education.
The Right to Equal Opportunities.
The Right to Guidance from a Caring Adult.
V. Conclusion
a. Summary
In general, it can be concluded that the initiative on the determinants and
consequences of induced abortion has shown some important patterns. For example, induced
abortion is not restricted to adolescents but occurs also within marriage to limit family size.
Induced abortion is prevalent both where family planning services are available and
contraceptive prevalence is high as well as where family planning is not common, but for
different reasons. In the former, motivation to limit family size is high and women would use any
option if contraception fails or an unwanted pregnancy occurs. In the latter case, induced
abortion forms part of a mix of incipient fertility regulation alternatives, most of which are
traditional and of little effectiveness but including some use or improper use of modern methods.
Few abortion seekers, and among them even fewer adolescents, were using a modern
contraceptive at the time the pregnancy started. High use of traditional methods in some
countries leads to abortion as women/couples fail to follow proper instructions with regards to
the safe period. Unsafe clandestine abortions are more likely to be sought by poorer women and
by adolescents. The findings of this research are increasingly being used to question the legal
status of abortion in countries where the law is restrictive, or to strengthen family planning
efforts in order to reduce abortion incidence.

b. Plan of Action
For me, I will conduct a program for parents and children on how to avoid
teenage pregnancy. A program that needs the attention of the parents to protect and discipline
their children properly without harm and negative discipline.
VI. References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abortion_in_the_Philippines
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholic_Church_and_abortion
http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p3s2c2a5.htm
http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Manila,-Catholic-women-united-against-
abortion-42193.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Responsible_Parenthood_and_Reproductive_Health_Act_of_2012

https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/true-stories/backstreet-abortions-life-
threatening-reality-for-thousands-of-filipina-women/news-
story/f6474c1a8787db15649e13737088e0f6
http://www.asean-endocrinejournal.org/index.php/JAFES/article/view/48/471
https://rewire.news/article/2009/07/01/what-filipino-catholics-say-about-
abortion/