Lacson: Decriminalizing abortion is unconstitutional

Presidential candidate and Senator Panfilo Lacson expressed opposition to the decriminalization of abortion in the country, saying this is not in line with the 1987 Constitution.

“Unang-una, enshrined sa Constitution, 'yung life ng bata sa conception nasa Constitution… Paano kami magpapasa ng batas decriminalizing abortion when it is in violation of the Constitution, which is the fundamental law of the land?” Lacson said in a press conference in Parañaque City.

(First of all, the life of the child that is in conception is enshrined in the Constitution. How are we going to pass a law decriminalizing abortion when it is in violation of the Constitution, which is the fundamental law of the land?)

“I hope I make myself clear in that regard dahil made-declare na unconstitutional ‘yan ng Supreme Court and besides, buhay ‘yan, maski sabihin ng ibang tao na ‘di murder yan kapag kinitil mo ang buhay ng isang sanggol na may buhay na, ano tawag mo doon?” he went on.

(I hope I make myself clear in that regard because that could be declared by the Supreme Court as unconstitutional. Even if you don't consider it as murder, how do you call an act of killing a child inside the womb?)

Senatorial candidate Dr. Minguita Padilla also expressed opposition to the decriminalization of abortion, saying the government should rather provide other means of family planning.

During a town hall meeting held by Lacson and his vice presidential bet Senate President Vicente Sotto III in Pasig City Wednesday, a mother with 11 children asked how the tandem intends to help parents like her.

When asked about this, Padilla said education and family planning should be strengthened to address this.

“Alam n’yo po ang number of children is inversely proportional sa level of education. Ang sagot talaga dito is education ng mga magulang, mga tao,” she said.

(The number of children is inversely proportional to the level of education. The key here is education of the parents.)

“It’s more on population control. We should also be open to other means of family planning,” she added.

The physician likewise emphasized that the separation between the state and the church should be clear on this issue.

“Iba ang religion, iba ang gobyerno. I think that’s another issue here… Hindi ‘yung [bawal] ‘yan kasi labag sa simbahan,” she said.

(Religion should be separate from the state. I think that's another issue here. You cannot prohibit an act just because the church is against it.)

“Kahit ako ay katoliko, mayroon akong pananaw pero ‘di ko ma-impose ang pananaw na ‘yon sa lahat ng tao. The government should make various means of family planning available at turuan sila as long as it’s not abortion,” she added.

(Even if I am a Catholic, I cannot impose my belief to the entire public. The government should make various means of family planning available and educate them as long as it's not abortion.) — BM, GMA News