Hontiveros: Amended teen pregnancy bill to clear the air, counter ‘fake news’

Metro Manila, Philippines – Senator Risa Hontiveros said the amended bill she filed to prevent adolescent pregnancy would clarify misconceptions and counter disinformation.

Hontiveros made this statement during the Kapihan sa Senado media forum on Thursday, Jan. 23, while discussing changes to Senate Bill 1979, or the proposed Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy Act.

“Sa substitute bill, tinanggal na po na ang CSE (comprehensive sexuality education) ay ‘guided by international standards’ na nakasaad sa orihinal na bersyon — para hindi na mabaluktot ng iba ang ibig sabihin nito. Gusto natin na maging mas malinaw na ang anumang ituturo sa ating kabataan ay sang-ayon sa kultura at konteksto nating mga Pilipino,” Hontiveros said.

[Translation: In the substitute bill, the phrase that CSE (comprehensive sexuality education) should be "guided by international standards," as stated in the original version, has been removed—to prevent others from twisting its meaning. We want to make it clearer that anything taught to our youth should be in accordance with our Filipino culture and context.]

Critics led by the advocacy group Project Dalisay have repeatedly raised concerns about the use of “international standards,” particularly guidelines from the World Health Organization and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, which both consider masturbation a topic to be taught to children.

Hontiveros previously clarified that international standards would only serve as a guide, with local education officials and relevant government agencies responsible for implementing the CSE.

The amended bill further clarifies that CSE will be provided only to adolescents aged 10 and above. Access to contraceptives without parental consent is limited to those age 16 and up.

Parent teacher associations are explicitly included as stakeholders to be consulted about the measure, and the requirement for CSE as a prerequisite for private school accreditation was removed.

“This substitute bill also now includes a clear provision guaranteeing academic and religious freedom,” Hontiveros said, noting that some of the amendments were proposed by Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero himself.

When asked if the changes weakened the bill, Hontiveros said, “Not at all. Tanggap na tanggap pa rin ng aming mga partner advocates at constituencies ang substitute bill dahil nananatili siyang tapat doon sa layunin ng prevention of adolescent pregnancy (Our partner advocates and constituencies fully accept the substitute bill because it stays true to the goal of preventing adolescent pregnancy).”

Hontiveros maintained that the criticisms against the bill were based on “fake news,” disinformation, and lies, but said she filed a substitute bill to move the proceedings.

“Harinawa maging acceptable na rin kahit sa grupo nila [We hope this would be acceptable even by the group],” Hontiveros said, referring to Project Dalisay led by former Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno.

She urged the seven colleagues who withdrew their signatures from the committee report to read the substitute bill.

Hontiveros said their withdrawal of support would not send the bill back to the committee level, as it has been pending in the plenary since March 2023.

“Ang understanding ko ay, itong substitute bill ay i-interpellate na po namin sa plenaryo [My understanding is that this substitute bill will undergo interpellation in the plenary]… Any objections by other senators should be expressed in plenary through questions and other proposed amendments,” she said.

She also hoped that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. would read the substitute bill, noting that the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office had secured a copy.