In a media interview on Jan. 20, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. condemned Senate Bill (SB) 1979 due to claims of inappropriate concepts contained in some of the bill’s provisions. Motivated to drive the bill into passage, Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros acted swiftly by introducing a substitute bill that amended certain provisions on Jan. 22.
Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) from Section 6 of SB 1979 is defined as “the process of acquiring complete, medically-accurate, relevant, age and development-appropriate, and culturally-sensitive information and skills on all matters relating to the reproductive system, its functions and processes, human sexuality and forming attitudes and beliefs about sex, sexual identity, interpersonal relationships, affection, intimacy, and gender roles.”
During a Senate Manifestation on the Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy Bill on Jan. 22, Sen. Hontiveros, author and signatory of SB 1979, conveyed, “Nalulungkot ako that discussions on the bill have been muddled by so much disinformation. Sinabi nila na nasa bill ‘yung 0-4 masturbation, anal sex, oral sex, at kung anu-ano pang mga konsepto na hindi akma sa mga bata, natakot ang sambayanan. Pero uulitin ko, wala naman ang mga ito sa bill. At kailanman ay hindi ito makakapasok sa anumang panukala na aking isinusulong.”
Substitute bill excludes phrase “guided by international standards”
The substitute bill sought to address fundamental objections made by various groups around CSE. One of these objections is the phrase “guided by international standards,” which former Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, from the religious group Project Dalisay, had claimed would teach inappropriate sexuality education to children.
The group’s published online statement read, “A current memo, DepEd Memo 31, is already in effect, subjecting students to harmful and preemptive sexuality education using the framework of UNESCO and WHO's ‘Comprehensive Sexuality Education’ which is neither constitutional nor age-appropriate.”
It further claims that policies are being subtly introduced to collude with the innocence of our youth.
Following this critique, Section 6 of the substitute bill removed the phrase “guided by international standards,” and added “scientific, culturally sensitive, community-led, consultative, and inclusive.”
President Marcos Jr. told the media he was appalled by some provisions of the bill and pledged to veto if the bill would be passed “in its current form.”
“You will teach four-year-olds how to masturbate. That every child has the right to try different sexualities. This is ridiculous, this is abhorrent. This is a travesty of what sex education should be to the children," he commented in an ambush interview with various media outlets, as reported by ANC.
However, Sen. Hontiveros clarified, “Maliwanag na wala po sa bill kahit ang salita na “masturbation.” Wala din po ‘yung ‘try different sexualities.”
Section 3 of the amended version now includes a provision that limits the age bracket to 10 to 19 years old as well as provisions guaranteeing academic and religious freedom.
“Ang maayos na implementasyon ng CSE ay tried and tested na epektibong paraan sa pagpapababa ng teen pregnancy. And I, along with many advocates, civil society organizations, teachers and fellow parents, uphold that what we are pushing for is an age and development-appropriate and culturally sensitive response to this national and social emergency,” Sen. Hontiveros said.
DepEd offers assurance
One of the most pertinent viewpoints on the bill comes from the Department of Education (DepEd), as the primary implementation of the bill is within their responsibility. Education Secretary Sonny Angara shared that he would order for the review of the CSE currently implemented in the basic curriculum.
“Titignan namin from a legal point of view kung pwede ba naming gawin ‘yun dahil mandato ng batas ‘yun eh… ‘Yung CSE based on Reproductive Health Law and on HIV/AIDS Prevention Law. Meron na tayong ginagawang existing,” the Education Secretary said during the Kapihan sa Manila Bay on Jan. 22.
As evidenced by President Marcos Jr.’s assertion that CSE teaches lewd behavior to students, Angara said they were compelled to check the curriculum, and said there was nothing about inappropriate actions.
“Na-alarma rin kami na may gano’ng tinuturo. So chineck namin, pero mukhang wala naman. Siguro sa ibang bansa ‘yung tinuturo na gano’ng curriculum. ‘Yung sinasabi na 0-4 may tinuturo na masturbation… Kaya right after the meeting, sabi ko i-review natin ang CSE dahil parang hindi nga tama, hindi akma, o hindi angkop sa age group ‘yung tinuturo, ‘yong konsepto na ‘yun,” Sec. Angara said.
The CSE has been part of the K to 12 curriculum prior to talks about the Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy Act. This is highlighted in DepEd’s Policy Guidelines on the Implementation of Comprehensive Sexuality Education, which states, “The current situation of increasing early pregnancies, violence and increasing incidence of HIV among young Filipinos has brought more attention to the need to equip them with the correct information and appropriate life skills that would enable them to make responsible decision-making and respectful behavior that will protect their health, well-being and dignity.”
The shadow over progress on the Anti-Adolescent Pregnancy Bill is the misinterpretation of its content. Despite this, child and health organizations, along with advocates, persist in dispelling misinformation. With the amended version of the bill, there is renewed hope for seeing fewer lives derailed by teenage pregnancy.
