Press Release
August 18, 2009

Pia: "No misinterpretation of Magna Carta of Women
provision outlawing expulsion due to pregnancy"

Senator Pia S. Cayetano today said the provision of the newly signed Magna Carta of Women (Republic Act 9710) prohibiting schools from expelling any student or teacher who gets pregnant out of marriage is unequivocal.

"I take exception to the opinion being propounded that I might have misinterpreted Section 13 (c) of RA 9710, because I did not. The provision of the law is unequivocal on that issue," said the lady senator, a lawyer and principal author of the law.

"The Magna Carta which was signed only last week now gives Filipino women that right. Others may interpret it their own ways, but that right still stands and cannot be taken away from them."

"But if any person, party or group has an issue against it, then nothing stops them from taking recourse in our courts. All of this is part of our democratic and legal processes," added the lady senator, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Social Justice.

Letter "c" under Section 13 ("Equal Access and Elimination of Discrimination in Education, Scholarships and Training") of RA 9710 reads: "Expulsion and non-readmission of women faculty due to pregnancy outside of marriage shall be outlawed. No school shall turn out or refuse admission to a female student solely on the account of her having contracted pregnancy outside of marriage during her term in school."

News Latest News Feed