Senator Risa Hontiveros has reiterated that the posts on social media about her proposed bill, Senate Bill No. 1979 or the Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy Act of 2023, are “fake news.”
The senator said the allegations that the law will bring hypersexualization to young people are false and threatening because their proposals are based on international standards.
Hontiveros told Brigada News FM Manila that her bill is well-intentioned because it focuses on protecting the health and future of young people.
The proposal became controversial when a group called Project Dalisay described the bill as unconstitutional and promotes “hypersexualization”.
Project Dalisay representative former Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno said they opposed Section 6 of the bill which makes it compulsory for schools in all levels to teach Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE).
“ Bakit natin bina-bypass ang duty the parents to teach sexuality. Eh meron naman tayong RA11908 o Parental Effectiveness Program”
Hontiveros countered this by saying the bill does not isolate the parents from educating their children on sexuality.
“ Front and center pa rin ng prevention of adolescent pregnancy bill ang mga magulang pero dahil kulang ang kakayahan ng mga magulang ayon sa datus sa gusto nating gawin na kausapin ang mga bata sa usaping sekswalidad pero patuloy na minamandato parin ang mga eskwelahan at guro sa Responsible Parenthood at Reproductive Health Law na ni-rule ng Korte Suprema na constitutional.” Hontiveros said.
Under the proposed legislation, the school will teach children with comprehensive sexuality education while the group said other parents do not like it when their children are taught with the topic at a very young age.
The group also opposes Section 12 which states that adolescents that are already engaged in sexual activities should be given access to modern family planning methods.
Project Dalisay describes this as a way to promote “hypersexualization” among the adolescents.
Hontiveros however said access to contraceptives is must to prevent teenage pregnancy cases to increase.
“ Napakatanggap, sayantipiko at matulungin na paraan kasama na ang access sa contraception ng mga kabataang sa ayaw natin at sa gusto bilang mga magulang ay sexually active na para mapigilan na maging teenage pregnant sila o teenage parents.” Hontiveros added
Based on the 2020 data of the Commission on Population, the live birth among mothers age 10-17 years old reached 56, 428.
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) also reported that 97 percent of the fathers are older than the adolescent mothers and the repeat pregnancy rate reached eight percent.
Abner is an award-winning journalist. He received the prestigious 2015 Titus Brandsma Award for Community Communication in the Philippines and participated in the 2016 International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) of the United States of America, sponsored by the US Embassy in the Philippines. Founder of WATCH NORTH COTABATO, a media-citizens’ transparency group. He worked as a correspondent for the Philippine Daily Inquirer and CNN Philippines. His experience in broadcasting includes anchoring for Brigada News FM in Kidapawan and General Santos City and Brigada News TV. He anchors Tira Brigada via 105.1 Brigada News FM Manila, Mondays-Saturdays.