Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri has voiced his strong opposition to the inclusion of comprehensive sexual education (CSE) in the proposed Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Bill (Senate Bill 1979). He expressed concerns about the potential impact of teaching young children about sexual orientation and pleasure, citing potential risks of increased experimentation and unintended pregnancies. While opposing the CSE provisions, Zubiri stated his support for healthcare access for teenage mothers.
Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri has publicly stated his opposition to the proposed comprehensive sexual education (CSE) component within Senate Bill 1979 , which aims to curb adolescent pregnancies. Zubiri voiced his concerns during a virtual press conference, held soon after several groups expressed anxieties regarding the CSE provision in the bill. 'As long as I remain a conservative legislator, this bill, in its current form, will not be supported by me,' Zubiri declared to reporters.
Zubiri, echoing the sentiment of Senator Joel Villanueva, strongly opposes the alleged inclusion of curriculum that encourages masturbation among children aged zero to four and the teaching of 'bodily pleasure' or 'sexual rights' to children between six and nine years old, as outlined by the UNESCO and World Health Organization. 'Teaching children as young as six years old about sexual orientation and sexual pleasure would undoubtedly lead to problems,' Zubiri warned. 'Instead of preventing adolescent pregnancies, the bill might actually result in an increase due to experimentation.'However, Zubiri clarified that he is not against provisions aimed at providing healthcare access to teenage mothers. 'I concur with providing proper healthcare to teenage mothers, including medications and hospitalization for those who have become pregnant,' he stated. 'This can be implemented independently, without the need for education or the forceful introduction of sexual orientation and sexual education to children as young as six to eight years old up to fourteen.' The Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Bill outlines that the Comprehensive Sexuality Program will be 'a compulsory part of education, integrated at all levels.' The ultimate goal is to normalize discussions regarding adolescent sexuality and reproductive health, and to eradicate stigma at every level. Section 6 of the bill stipulates that CSE 'shall be integrated into the school curriculum, guided by international standards.'Senator Risa Hontiveros, the sponsor of SB 1979, has previously clarified that the bill does not contain provisions for teaching or encouraging masturbation in children aged zero to four, nor does it advocate for teaching 'bodily pleasure' or 'sexual rights' to children aged six to nine. She asserts that the bill draws inspiration from the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Law and refutes claims that SB 1979 is unconstitutional. Former Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, who is part of the group questioning SB 1979, insists that the bill mandates CSE to align with 'international standards,' which she believes refers to the curriculum set by the UNESCO and the World Health Organization. However, Hontiveros maintains that SB 1979 has no intention of directly replicating any international standards. 'It doesn't mean that we'll simply copy everything published by UNESCO or WHO,' she explained. 'Of course, if there are aspects mentioned there that are not suitable for the context and culture of the Philippines, we will certainly not adopt them. It's common sense.' Hontiveros emphasized that the Department of Education, in collaboration with other relevant agencies, and with consultation from various stakeholders, will implement CSE. 'It won't be dictated by any international body,' she added. 'Ultimately, it is the Filipino people who will decide.'—NB, GMA Integrated New
Comprehensive Sexual Education Adolescent Pregnancy Senate Bill 1979 Juan Miguel Zubiri Risa Hontiveros Philippines Education Policy Reproductive Health
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