The Philippines RH Act, which was to go into effect on 31 May, has been temporarily suspended by a 10-5 ruling of the Philippines Supreme Court. The court will hear arguments for and against the law on 18 June, 2013. The ruling is a result of nine petitions against the law filed in the court. The petitioners are
- Francisco “Kit” Tatad and his wife, Ma. Fenny
- James Imbong, his wife and minor children.
- Doctors for Life
- Filipinos for Life (F4L),
- Serve Life Cagayan de Oro City,
- Task Force for Family and Life Visayas, Inc.,
- Valeriano Avila,
- Expedito Bugarin and Eduardo Olaguer,
- Catholic Xyberspace Apostolate of the Philippines.
From available news reports, it does not appear that the petitions are based on concerns about the effects of the law on freedom of conscience and religion among health care workers.