Abortion could have been safer for Filipinas—science has long shown how

Trojan Rey Genotiva
July 11, 2026

Few issues in Philippine healthcare are as politicized as abortion. But beyond the legal debate, lies the danger often overlooked—the risk women face when access to an integral part of their reproductive care becomes inaccessible.

… According to the Philippine Safe Abortion Advocacy Network (PINSAN), unsafe abortions hospitalize more than 250 women daily, where about three die from related complications.

This consequence has become more evident with the growing number of Filipinas resorting online to seek help in ending their pregnancies, whether by obtaining medications through the black market or following advice from unverified sources online.

Continued: https://explained.ph/abortion-could-have-been-safer-for-filipinas-science-has-long-shown-how/

11.07.2026

News

Clara Padilla

Philippine Safe Abortion Advocacy Network

PINSAN

post-abortion care

U.N. Human Rights Committee

Philippines’ abortion ban drives women to risky, underground services

Filipinos wanting to end unwanted pregnancies have resorted to black-market alternatives that can result in life-threatening consequences

2 Jul 2026

The arrest of a 65-year-old woman accused of selling abortion pills in Manila has offered a glimpse into the shadow economy growing around ending unwanted pregnancies in the Philippines, one of the few countries in the world where the procedure remains criminalised in almost all circumstances.

For women and girls trying to end unwanted pregnancies, access often depends on online sellers, market vendors, whispered referrals and the uncertain quality of pills bought far from formal medical care, where complications can quickly become life-threatening.

Continued: https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/health-environment/article/3359074/philippines-abortion-ban-drives-women-risky-underground-services

Philippines – Unintended pregnancies, abortions persist in PH despite total ban

Cristina Eloisa Baclig
April 09, 2026

Abortion is illegal in the Philippines in all circumstances. Yet data and personal accounts suggest the procedure persists, often in secrecy and, in many cases, under unsafe conditions.

A recent analysis by University of the Philippines Diliman associate professor and Inquirer data scientist Dr. Rogelio Alicor Panao, drawing from World Health Organization (WHO) estimates, found that unintended pregnancies and abortion remain closely intertwined even where the procedure is criminalized.

Continued: https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2209231/unintended-pregnancies-abortions-persist-in-ph-despite-total-ban-2

Filipinas seek abortions online in largely Catholic nation

16 Mar 2026
AFP

MANILA - Jane had been bleeding heavily for days before finally seeking help, not from a hospital but from the man who sold her the pills meant to end her six-week pregnancy.

Abortions are strictly outlawed in the mainly Catholic Philippines, forcing women to turn to a patchwork of providers operating in the online shadows.

Continued; https://www.bangkokpost.com/world/3217783/filipinas-seek-abortions-online-in-largely-catholic-nation

Philippines: Making a safe space for abortion

Sep 30, 2025
Ana P. Santos

From shielded spaces of hotel conference rooms to the sprawling urban communities that dot our riverbanks and back alleys, women and people with vulvas have an abortion story to tell

If you give a woman a safe enough space, she will tell you her abortion story. I know because many women have entrusted me with theirs.

One woman told me about getting an abortion after an incident of marital rape left her with an unwanted pregnancy just as she was about to leave her abusive husband.

Continued: https://www.rappler.com/life-and-style/health-and-wellness/dash-of-sas-making-safe-space-abortion/

30.09.2025

Philippine Safe Abortion Advocacy Network

Philippines: Hidden ordeal of women forced to seek abortion online

By: Faith Argosino - Reporter / @FArgosinoINQINQUIRER.net
September 28, 2025

MANILA, Philippines — Women seeking to terminate unwanted pregnancies seem to have found solace in online selling platforms, where vendors openly offer “abortion pills” or herbal potions marketed as remedies to “regulate” menstruation.

A quick search on several e-commerce sites, and even on Facebook, shows that these pills can be purchased through anonymous accounts — many of which are now inactive. In a few public online groups, sellers even post glowing reviews, with images of expelled embryos or sanitary pads soaked in blood clots and screenshots of conversations with “satisfied” customers.

Continued: https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2116456/click-to-abort-hidden-ordeal-of-women-forced-to-seek-abortion-online

28.09.2025

Commentary

abortion pills online

Claire Padilla

Decriminalization of Abortion Bill

Philippines – Kiko Barzaga calls for legal abortion for rape cases

POLITIKO | politiko.com.ph
September 7, 2025
By Billy Begas

Cavite Rep. Francis Barzaga is seeking the legalization of abortion in the country, but only for rape victims.

“I seek to legalize abortion for rape victims,” said Barzaga in a Facebook post.

“It’s disheartening to see people losing their futures due to pregnancies caused by sexual assault,” he added.

Abortion in the country is prohibited under the Revised Penal Code.

Source: https://politiko.com.ph/2025/09/07/kiko-barzaga-calls-for-legal-abortion-for-rape-cases/politiko-lokal/

07.09.2025

Philippines – How real-life Sunshines inspired Antoinette Jadaone’s hit film on teenage pregnancy, abortion

How real-life Sunshines inspired Antoinette Jadaone's hit film on teenage pregnancy, abortion

By Melanie Uson
Aug 19, 2025

Filipino filmmaker Antoinette Jadaone deeply explored the real-life experiences of girls who got pregnant as young as 16 in creating her hit movie Sunshine.

From its initial limited screening, the award-winning film, which follows the story of a young gymnast who finds out she's pregnant ahead of the national team tryouts, has been able to reach a variety of moviegoers and spark meaningful discussions on abortion as seen in reviews shared on social media.

… Going beyond the praise and recognition it has received, Jadaone sees Sunshine not just as a fictional character, but as a human call for better sex education and support for women's reproductive health.

Continued: https://philstarlife.com/geeky/546710-the-generations-podcast-how-real-life-sunshines-inspired-antoinette-jadaone-hit-film

19.08.2025

Philippines: Cebu City abortion: 75-year-old lola, two others nabbed

By: Daryll Galindo - CDN Digital Multimedia Reporter
June 19,2025

CEBU CITY, Philippines — A 75-year-old woman and two other accomplices were arrested by police on June 19 for their alleged involvement in abortion activities.

The three arrested individuals included a 75-year-old woman who allegedly performs illegal abortion procedures despite having no medical background, a man who was tagged as the group’s driver, and an alleged middleman.

The three were arrested in an entrapment operation inside an inn in Barangay Carreta, Cebu City.

Continued; https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/642822/cebu-city-abortion-75-year-old-lola-two-others-nabbed

20.06.2025

Asia-Pacific: ‘Why young people should have access to all sexual, reproductive health services’|

By Ojoma Akor
Tue, 4 Mar 2025

Experts have said that young people should have access to all sexual and reproductive health services including safe abortion rights.

With regressive reimposition of “global gag-rule”, young people too have called for decriminalization of abortion. They said there is need to make safe and legal abortion accessible globally to all, including the youth.

Six out of 10 unplanned pregnancies are estimated to end in induced abortion, and around 45% of these abortions are unsafe.

Continued: https://dailytrust.com/why-young-people-should-have-access-to-all-sexual-reproductive-health-services/