Popular concepts of fertilization and pregnancy are different from biomedical and Catholic religious definitions. An abortion at this stage is described as pampabalik ng regla, restoring menstruation. Abortion is widespread even with, and maybe because of existing laws. Further criminalizing abortion will not be useful. In Manila, the blackmarket price for the drug is P50 each and in areas outside Manila, they can go up as high as P250 each.
Abortions occur in the most restrictive conditions.
Increasing the penalties will only mean higher fees and more clandestine practices, putting many more lives at risk. Provide adequate information on contraception. We have seen that many women obtaining abortions were either not on any contraceptive method or had experienced contraceptive failure. Contraception, to be effective, must include information on the correct use of various methods. We have on file a brochure on family planning from a local NGO which says contraceptive pills are to be used during the first five days of a menstruation.