Lawmaker seeks inquiry into plight of detained pregnant women

facing trial
A lady lawmaker has called for an inquiry into the plight of pregnant women, who are facing
trial, in order to eliminate discrimination against them and their unborn child.
Rep. Lani Mercado-Revilla !
nd
"istrict, #avite$ sought the inquiry through %ouse Resolution
&&'& following the death last month of the newborn baby of Andrea Rosal, an alleged communist
leader and daughter of the late (ew )eople*s Army leader +regorio ,-a Roger. Rosal.
,/he right of Rosal to be presumed innocent until proven guilty was trampled upon and which
may have resulted in the untimely death of her 0aby "iona Andrea,. said Mercado-Revilla.
1he said #ongress should probe on how to remove discrimination against detained pregnant
women who are undergoing trial and are due to give birth while behind bars to protect and safeguard
the rights of the mother and the unborn child.
Rosal was arrested on March !2, !3&4 on charges of kidnapping and murder. /he seven-month
pregnant Rosal on April &5, !3&4 was then brought to her detention cell at #amp Bagong Diwa,
where, she said, she was deprived of due medical attention.
6n May &', Rosal gave birth to "iona Andrea at the )hilippine +eneral %ospital )+%$. /he
baby, however, died the three days later due to o7ygen deficiency in the blood. /he /aguig Regional
trial #ourt 0ranch !'' allowed Rosal to attend her daughter*s wake on May !&, !3&4 from ! p.m. to
8 p.m. but denied her request to attend the baby*s burial on May !8.
Mercado-Revilla reminded the government that the country became a signatory to the
#onvention on the 9limination of all :orms of "iscrimination Against ;omen #9"A;$ on <uly &2,
&=>3, which it subsequently ratified on <uly &=, &=>&, thus becoming the first A19A( country to do
so.
Article ! of #9"A;, according to her, provides ,1tates )arties condemn discrimination
against women in all its forms, agree to pursue by all appropriate means and without delay a policy
of eliminating discrimination against women..
:urthermore, Mercado-Revilla cited Article 5 of #9"A; mandates ,1tates )arties shall take
in all fields, in particular in the political, social, economic and cultural fields, all appropriate
measures, including legislation, to ensure the full development and advancement of women, for the
purpose of guaranteeing them the e7ercise and en?oyment of human rights and fundamental freedom
on a basis of equality with men..
Likewise, she said the #onstitution mandates the respect for human rights Article @@, 1ection
&&$, the protection of the life of the mother and the life of the unborn from conception Article @@,
1ection &!$, and protection and promotion of the right to health of the people Article @@, 1ection &8$.
53$ rbb
NR # 3505
JUNE 22, 2014