After reading the bill, Marcos calls anti-teen pregnancy measure 'ridiculous'

Metro Manila, Philippines - A number of “elements” in the proposed law aiming to prevent teen pregnancy are “ridiculous” and “abhorrent,” President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Monday, Jan. 20, after he read the bill.

In a chance interview, Marcos clarified his stance on Senate Bill 1979, which will institutionalize the comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) in public and private schools to address rising cases of early pregnancy. The discussion stemmed from a viral explainer video from an advocacy group called Project Dalisay saying the CSE may “hypersexualize children.”

When asked to share his views on the program, Marcos earlier said students must learn the consequences of getting pregnant at an early age.

“I was shocked and I was appalled by some of the elements of that. Because this is, all this woke that they are trying to bring into our system,” the president said, noting that he read the bill over the weekend.

“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 added.

Marcos, however, said he still believes in the significance of sex education.

“I still believe that sex education in terms of teaching kids anatomy, of the reproductive systems of males and females is extremely important. Consequences of early pregnancy. The prevalence of HIV,” the president said.

‘Willing to accept amendments’

In a video message, Sen. Risa Hontiveros, one of the bill’s authors, said the measure does not aim to teach children sensitive topics.

“Mr. President, with all due respect, maliwanag na wala po sa bill kahit yung salita na ‘masturbation.’ Wala din po yung ‘try different sexualities.’ CSE contains the very same things you support: teaching kids anatomy, consequences of early pregnancy,” she said.

[Translation: Mr. President, with all due respect, it is clear that the bill does not even include the word “masturbation.” Nor does it mention “try different sexualities.” CSE includes exactly what you support: teaching kids about anatomy and the consequences of early pregnancy.]

Former Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno of Project Dalisay, previously lamented that while such provisions are non-existent in the proposal, the bill states that the CSE will be guided by international standards - an object of the group’s opposition.

“Ang philosophy ng CSE internationally developed ng UN agencies, UNESCO, WHO saying it’s a child’s right to derive pleasure from his body. Kasama sa derivation ng pleasure is touching one’s body. Syempre hindi mo makikita sa bill. But when the bill says according to international standards dapat mong tingnan ang international documents,” Sereno earlier said.

[Translation: The philosophy that guided CSE was internationally developed by UN agencies, UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), and WHO (World Health Organization), stating that it is a child's right to derive pleasure from his body. Part of deriving pleasure includes touching one's body. Of course, you won't find this explicitly stated in the bill. But when the bill says according to international standards, you should reconcile that with international documents]

Hontiveros said she is “willing to accept amendments” on the measure.

Marcos warned that he will immediately veto the bill should it be passed with its current provisions.

A number of lawmakers at the House of Representatives sought to recall the measure, which was approved at the plenary in September 2023.

Meanwhile, Sen. Joel Villanueva, who comes from an influential religious group, thanked Marcos for opposing the bill.

“Nananawagan po tayo sa ating mga kasamahan sa Senado at maging sa House of Representatives na maging mapagmatiyag at huwag basta basta magpapabudol sa panukalang ito,” he said.

[Translation: We call on our colleagues in the Senate and the House of Representatives to remain vigilant and not be easily swayed by this proposal.]