Senator defends Adolescent Pregnancy Bill over 'conspiracy theories'
MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Risa Hontiveros has called out what she says are fear mongering and conspiracy theories surrounding the Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Bill, urging critics to bring their concerns to the proper forum for deliberation.
The bill, which aims to address the rising prevalence of teenage pregnancy, includes a contentious provision on Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE).
“‘Wag tayo advanced mag-isip. Lahat ng mga espekulasyon na ito, pananakot at conspiracy theories ay matutuldukan at mabibigyang linaw kung bubuksan na natin ang debate sa Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Bill sa plenaryo (Let us not be too advanced with our thinking. All of this speculation, fear mongering, and conspiracy theories will go away if we open the debate for the Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Bill in the plenary),” Hontiveros said.
The period of interpellation and amendment in the Senate plenary is the appropriate venue for discussions, not viral media, Hontiveros said.
“I am open to hearing all of my colleagues’ opinions and proposed amendments to the bill, in the same way that I have been open to all views on the measure,” she added.
Sex education, as stipulated in the bill, would be guided by international standards but tailored to Filipino culture and values, Hontiveros said. However, this does not mean that educators would be copying the World Health Organization or the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
The Department of Education (DepEd) has also defended the bill against mischaracterization, assuring that its implementation will be culturally sensitive.
“It is still the DepEd, including relevant agencies and with consultation with various stakeholders, that will implement the CSE. Not whoever is an international body. No one dictates the government other than Filipinos,” she said in Filipino.
The Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Bill (Senate Bill 1979) is currently pending second reading in the Senate. It seeks to address adolescent pregnancies by expanding access to sexual and reproductive health access.
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