MANILA, July 3, 2013— Malolos Bishop Jose Oliveros has urged the faithful to pray for the justices of the Supreme Court as they meet on July 9 for oral arguments on Republic Act (RA) 10354 or RH Law.
“Prayer is very much important [so] that our justices [will] be enlightened,” Oliveros, who is also chairman of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) Episcopal Office on Bioethics, said in an interview.
Oliveros said the bishops are supportive of the laity’s initiatives on July 9, the date set by the SC for the RH law oral arguments.
Pro life supporters are organizing a festive gathering along Padre Faura Street, in front of the Supreme Court on July 9 to show their collective support for the petitions filed against the RH Bill.
Oliveros expressed hope that the SC justices may consider the merits of the petitions filed against RH law the way they saw the merits in deciding to halt its implementation.
Last March, 10 of the justices voted in favor of halting the law’s implementation with five justices voting against the issuance of status quo.
“We have not forgotten and we are praying that our justices be enlightened that they see that RH law is against the constitution. The primary concern in our constitution is the sacredness of the family that the State must support,” said Oliveros.
The 1987 Constitution devotes an entire Article on the Family (XIV). Section 12 of Article II (State Policies) practically contains the substance of all that the Constitution has to say on the issue.
“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.”
‘Sanctity’ is defined as the state or quality of being holy, sacred, or saintly which has ultimate importance and inviolability. (Paul De Guzman)
