Euthanasia is not legal in the Philippines due to the predominance of religious groups that

prevent the ratification of the Euthanasia Act. The majority of Filipinos highly value Christian
teachings as the basis of their faith. However, it is still practiced, mainly by some people in
poorer parts of the country. They are forced to use euthanasia to end patient suffering and
avoid medical costs. Moreover, medical technology and professionals are not advanced
enough here in the Philippines. Ordinary Filipino doctors may not have sufficient skills to
effectively treat complex ailments. When it comes to life-and-death drugs, sometimes surgeries
go awry, wasting all the care paid for by the patient's family. Similarly, medical technology to
cure various ailments is not fully available. If so, it will come at a whopping price. The church's
position that euthanasia is still immoral and unethical is the main reason why euthanasia is
unacceptable. According to the latest edition of the Catechism of the Catholic Church (2003),
``All forms of suicide and euthanasia are strictly prohibited. And according to Pope John Paul II,
"Euthanasia should not be called a false mercy, but in reality it is a disturbing perversion of
mercy. True compassion involves sharing the pain of others. Others believe that sympathy does
not guarantee harm. Physicians who do not know how to alleviate the suffering of their patients
compassionately but unjustly agree to end their lives. Patient autonomy is an illusion if
physicians are not trained to assess and treat patient suffering. The more people don't know
how to treat this condition, the more they prefer assisted suicide or euthanasia. And the more
they do it, the more they prescribe it. Until then, the patient's only option is to suffer or hasten
death. Part of the Hippocratic Oath states that physicians must value the lives of their patients
and should not suggest to anyone the path to suicide. Philippine Constitution of 1987 (Article 2
11), the State respects the dignity of every human being and guarantees full respect for human
rights. Therefore, euthanasia violates both the Hippocratic Oath and the Philippine Constitution.