NOT every pro-lifer is a lawyer, but I think it would be good to familiarize ourselves
with PREVAILING laws that protect human life, particularly against abortion and
abortives. The Revised Penal Code of the Philippines reads:
Title Eight
CRIMES AGAINST PERSONS
Chapter One
DESTRUCTION OF LIFE
Section Two. — Infanticide and abortion.
Art. 255. Infanticide. — The penalty provided for parricide in Article 246 and for murder in Article 248 shall be imposed upon any person who shall kill any child less than three days of age.
If the crime penalized in this article be committed by the mother of the child for the purpose of concealing her dishonor, she shall suffer the penalty of prision correccional in its medium and maximum periods, and if said crime be committed for the same purpose by the maternal grandparents or either of them, the penalty shall be prision mayor.
Art. 256. Intentional abortion. — Any person who shall intentionally cause an abortion shall suffer:
1. The penalty of reclusion temporal, if he shall use any violence upon the person of the pregnant woman.
2. The penalty of prision mayor if, without using violence, he shall act without the consent of the woman.
3. The penalty of prision correccional in its medium and maximum periods, if the woman shall have consented.
Art. 257. Unintentional abortion. — The penalty of prision correccional in its minimum and medium period shall be imposed upon any person who shall cause an abortion by violence, but unintentionally.
Art. 258. Abortion practiced by the woman herself of by her parents. — The penalty of prision correccional in its medium and maximum periods shall be imposed upon a woman who shall practice abortion upon herself or shall consent that any other person should do so.
Any woman who shall commit this offense to conceal her dishonor, shall suffer the penalty of prision correccional in its minimum and medium periods.
If this crime be committed by the parents of the pregnant woman or either of them, and they act with the consent of said woman for the purpose of concealing her dishonor, the offenders shall suffer the penalty of prision correccional in its medium and maximum periods.
Art. 259. Abortion practiced by a physician or midwife and dispensing of abortives. — The penalties provided in Article 256 shall be imposed in its maximum period, respectively, upon any physician or midwife who, taking advantage of their scientific knowledge or skill, shall cause an abortion or assist in causing the same.
Any pharmacist who, without the proper prescription from a physician, shall dispense any abortive shall suffer arresto mayor and a fine not exceeding 1,000 pesos.
These pro-life laws are not being enforced due to the flood of anti-life decrees,
executive orders and pronouncements issued by misguided presidents from
Marcos, Cory, Ramos, and Estrada.
PS: I am confident that the leaders of the "Alabang Revolt" have not overlooked
the importance of these provisions. As far as the issue of "abortives" is concerned, the
Alabangers are merely providing the enabling instruments for the enforcement
of the Revised Penal Code.
Z
PS: Forget about Fr. Joaquin "seems-to-be" Bernas, SJ, JSD (?). He is drowning in
Jurisprudence, and has forgotten what moral PRUDENCE is all about. He accuses
the Alabangers of being inquisitorial, as though he does not see the inquisitorial
provisions in the RH Bill. He has analyzed himself to irrelevance and has proven
to be a condescending armchair elitist himself.
