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James M. Imbong, et al. Vs. Hon. Paquito N. Ochoa, Jr., et al. [Dissenting Opinion J. Leonen]

G.R. No. 204819 - James M. Imbong, et al. v. Hon. Paquito N. Ochoa, Jr., et al.; G.R. No. 204934 - Alliance for the Family Foundation Philippines, Inc. (ALFI), et al. v. Hon. Paquito N. Ochoa, et al.; G.R. No. 204957 - Task Force for Family and Life, Inc., et al. v. Hon. Paquito N. Ochoa, Jr., et al.; G.R. No. 204988 - Serve Life Cagayan de Oro City, Inc., et al. v. Office of the President, et al.; G.R. No. 205003 - Expedito A. Bugarin, Jr. v. Office of the President of the Republic of the Philippines, et al.; G.R. No. 205043 - Eduardo B. Olaguer, et al. v. DOH Secretary Enrique T. Ona, et al.; G.R. No. 205138 - Philippine Alliance of Xseminarians, Inc. (PAX), et al. v. Hon. Paquito N. Ochoa, Jr., et al.; G.R. No. 205478 - Reynaldo J. Echavez, M.D., et al. v. Hon Paquito N. Ochoa Jr., et al.; G.R. No. 205491 - Spouses Francisco S. Tatad, et. al. v. Office of the President of the Republic of the Philippines; G.R. No. 205720 - Pro-Life Philippines Foundation, Inc., et al. v. Office of the President, et al.; G.R. No. 206355 - Millennium Saint Foundation, Inc., et al. v. Office of the President, et al.; G.R. No. 207111 - John Walter B. Juat, et al. v. Hon. Paquito N. Ochoa, Jr., et al.; G.R. No. 207172 - Couples for Christ Foundation, Inc., et al. v. Hon. Paquito N. Ochoa, Jr., et al.; and G.R. No. 207563 - Almarim Centi Tillah, et al. v. Hon. Paquito N. Ochoa, Jr., et al. [Dissenting Opinion J. Leonen]

G.R. Nos. 204819, 204934, 204957, 204988, 205003, 205043, 205138, 205478, 205491, 205720, 206355, 207111, 207172 & 207563 | 2014-04-08

EN BANC

 

DISSENTING OPINION

 

"The most important thing we decide
is what not to decide. "
Brandeis, J 1

 

LEONEN, J.:

 

The Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012 should not be declared unconstitutional in whole or in any of its parts given the petitions filed in this case.


None of the petitions properly present an "actual case or controversy," which deserves the exercise of our awesome power of judicial review.2 It is our duty not to rule on the abstract and speculative issues barren of actual facts.3 These consolidated petitions, which contain bare allegations,...