MANILA — The Philippine Supreme Court on Tuesday temporarily halted a landmark law that would provide free contraception to poor women.

In a 10-to-5 ruling, the court froze for 120 days when the law could take effect. It was passed in December after a ferocious national debate that pitted the Roman Catholic Church against the country’s president, Benigno S. Aquino III.

Supporters and opponents of the legislation will argue their cases before the Supreme Court on June 18, said a court spokesman, Theodore Te. He added that the ruling on Tuesday did not reflect on the merits of either side.

The decision indicates that the Supreme Court is seriously considering the more than half a dozen petitions filed against the law, said Harry Roque, a constitutional expert with the University of the Philippines.