Abortion in the Philippines

[note 2] An analysis by the Population Division of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs concluded that although the Revised Penal Code does not list specific exceptions to the general prohibition on abortion, under the general criminal law principles of necessity as set forth in article 11(4) of the Code, an abortion may be legally performed to save the pregnant woman's life.

[5] While some doctors secretly perform abortions in clinics, the 2,000 to 5,000 peso (US$37 to US$93) fee as of 2005[update] was too high for many Filipinos, so they instead buy abortifacients on the black market, e.g. from vendors near churches, sari-sari stores and bakeries.

[12] The act was already in debate for decades as oppositional parties mostly related to religious groups like the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines have been very negatively vocal to the enactment of the bill.

[13] Due to many arguments and disagreements on both sides, a temporary restraining order from the Supreme Court was put onto the bill to halt distribution and production of certain contraceptives.

[14] The Food and Drug Administration found the banned contraceptives to be ‘non-abortifacient’ which was the main argument that the Supreme Court used to impose the temporary restraining order.