English for Academic and Professional Purposes (Applied Subject) Performance Task (Final Term)

Aborting the Criminal Abortion Law in the Philippines

Jeonard Francis P. Catap

Position Paper

The legalization of abortion is one of the most controversial topics in the Philippines.
The Philippines has a variety of cultures and beliefs that result in different opinions towards
abortion. The majority of the officials in the Philippine government still voted no to legalizing
abortion and passed the criminal abortion law, where women and health workers involved in
abortion are punishable by six years of imprisonment. The government should look forward to
legalizing abortion, not only for women to have a choice but also to give the country a chance
of becoming a safer and healthier place.

The government of the Philippines passed the criminal abortion law due to the
demands of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference in the Philippines (CBCP). According to the CBCP,
“Abortion is seriously wrong, and killing an unborn child degrades the human’s life sacred
ground” (Santos et al., 2015). The reason behind the abortion law completely contradicts the
Philippine constitution, specifically Article II, Section 6, which states that the government and
religious institutions should not interfere with each other’s affairs (Attorneys of the
Philippines, 2023). However, the government of the Philippines, up to the present time,
continues to permit the CBCP’s insistence on abortion.

The results of the criminal abortion law counter the expected outcome, which is that
women gain more morality and spirituality for their bodies, but instead, the number of women
who illegally practice abortion has significantly increased. According to the Guttmacher
Institute, annually, 3,770,000 pregnancies occur, 1,930,000 are unintended, and 973,000 end
in abortion, of which 90,000 experience post-abortion complications and 1000 die. Rather
than preventing abortion, criminalizing the operation has increased its risk and even increased
its possibility of death. According to the Center for Reproductive Rights, based on the
statements of women who experienced post-abortion complications and attempted to seek
help from health workers, due to the criminal abortion law, health workers are not
determined to give healthcare to women during post-abortion but instead threaten, verbally
abuse, and violently assault them.

Out of 195 countries in the world, 67 decriminalized and legalized abortion; accepting
abortion affected these particular countries in a positive way. According to a study, based on
the effects that were seen in countries that legalized abortion, legalization of abortion
benefited women's health because it reduced unsafe and often deadly procedures;
additionally, it provided women with options or choices, particularly in situations where they
are vulnerable, have been raped, or are simply carrying an unwanted pregnancy; and finally,
legalization had positive long-term effects on society, particularly a decrease in crime and
related issues (Corales et al., 2022).

MALIWALO NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL 1

English for Academic and Professional Purposes (Applied Subject) Performance Task (Final Term)

The Philippines should take a step and accept the legalization of abortion. By doing so,
access to medical and safe abortion will be available for all women with unintended
pregnancies, and women will gain control over their fertility as it needs to be. This will
minimize the practice of illegal abortion and maternal mortality in the country. Through this, a
healthy and safe society, especially for women, is going to be possible.

MALIWALO NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL 2