Recently, the story of Adriana Smith, a brain-dead pregnant woman in Georgia, USA, made headlines and went viral on social media. It sparked debates between pro-choice and pro-life advocates, not only in the United States but also in the Philippines.
Many Filipinos came across the story online and immediately shared strong reactions, with some saying that keeping her on life support to save the fetus was the “right thing to do.” Others, however, questioned whether it was ethical to force a legally dead woman’s body to continue functioning just to sustain a pregnancy she could no longer decide on.
For Filipinos, the comment section on social media platforms became a battleground. A lot supported the hospital’s decision, arguing that the unborn child deserved a chance at life, regardless of the mother’s condition. Others went so far as to blame the family for even questioning the hospital’s actions. This kind of response reflects how deeply misunderstood reproductive rights are in the country, where abortion is still illegal in all cases, including rape, incest, or even when the mother’s life is at risk.
But this situation reveals a dangerous mindset. One that treats pregnant women as nothing more than vessels. In Adriana’s case, she was already declared brain dead, which is considered legal death in both medical and legal terms. Yet, the hospital allegedly kept her on life support for weeks because they feared breaking Georgia’s strict abortion law. The fetus was eventually delivered through an emergency Caesarean section at just 25 weeks. The baby, named Chance, was born underweight and is now being treated in the neonatal intensive care unit. Doctors had hoped to reach 32 weeks of pregnancy, but complications forced an early delivery.
This tragic story prompted experts to speak out, saying that what happened was not required by the law and that the hospital may have misunderstood its responsibilities. Still, the damage had been done. The woman’s body was kept alive without her consent, and her family was left grieving while also caring for a premature baby who may face long-term medical issues.
This could happen in the Philippines, too. And the consequences might be even worse.
In the Philippines, abortion is illegal in all circumstances. There are no exceptions, even if the pregnancy is caused by rape, threatens the life of the mother, or the fetus has no chance of survival. If a case like Adriana Smith’s were to happen here, the law would likely side with the fetus. The woman’s body might be kept on life support against their wishes. They could be forced to wait until the fetus is viable, even if it means suffering emotional, financial, and psychological trauma.
Filipino laws do not protect women’s autonomy. The truth is, they do not trust women to make decisions about their own bodies. And they do not prepare for real-life medical situations like this.
Abortion remains a taboo topic in the country, influenced by religion and politics. But ignoring the problem does not make it go away.
Every year, at least 1,000 Filipinas die from unsafe abortion procedures, according to the Center for Reproductive Rights. And according to the Philippine Safe Abortion Advocacy Network (PINSAN), around 274 women are hospitalized every day due to complications from unsafe abortions. That is almost 100,000 women each year—proof that making abortion illegal does not stop it from happening. It only forces women, especially the poor and vulnerable, into dangerous, life-threatening situations because they have no access to safe and legal options.
The World Health Organization also says that restricting access to abortion does not reduce the number of abortions. It only makes them more dangerous. In countries where abortion is legal, women can seek safe medical procedures with proper care. In countries like the Philippines, they are forced into unsafe methods or secret clinics. The result is more death, more suffering, and more families left behind.
May all these internet debates around Adriana Smith’s case serve as a wake-up call. While many Filipinos still believe that abortion is wrong, this case shows that the reality is more complicated. A dead woman was turned into an incubator. Her family’s grieving was ignored. The baby, while alive, was born with medical risks. This was not a victory for life. It was a story of pain and confusion caused by unclear laws and fear of punishment.
Filipinos must reflect deeply on this. What kind of society forces women and their families to suffer just to meet an idea of morality that does not match reality? What kind of law refuses to give women the right to decide for themselves, even in death?
It is time to admit that the current law in the Philippines is failing its people. It does not protect life. It only punishes the poor, silences the vulnerable, and allows preventable tragedies to happen again and again.
Abortion is a medical issue. It is a women’s rights issue. It is a human rights issue. And it is time for the country to stop pretending that banning it solves anything.
It is time to legalize abortion in the Philippines — not just in special cases, but fully. Women deserve choices. Families deserve peace. And every person deserves dignity, even in their final moments.
