President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. announced on Thursday that he will first review the updated version of Senate Bill 1979, known as the Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy Act, before deciding on its approval. This bill proposes the mandatory implementation of the Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) Program. Marcos’s statement came in response to inquiries about his position on the bill, which he previously criticized for containing elements he deemed unsuitable for young children.
Marcos emphasized the need to examine the new substitute bill, as reported by Acting Secretary Cesar Chavez of the Presidential Communications Office. Although supportive of the CSE, Marcos has voiced strong objections to certain aspects of the original bill, describing them as ‘ridiculous’ and ‘abhorrent.’ He was particularly disturbed by provisions that eliminated the need for parental consent in the CSE and included instructions on masturbation for children as young as four.
The President warned that he would veto the bill if it were to pass in its current form. In response to these concerns, Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros, the bill’s author, introduced a revised version on Wednesday. This new version addresses criticisms from various groups and the withdrawal of support by several senators.
Key changes in the substitute bill include amendments to Section 5, which previously allowed adolescents unrestricted access to health services without parental consent. The revised section now emphasizes that access to health services should be tailored to the specific needs of adolescents. Additionally, Section 6 of the original bill, which mandated CSE as a compulsory part of education at all levels, has been adjusted to focus on age-appropriate information and the removal of the phrase ‘guided by international standards.’
The new bill also reinstates the requirement for parental or guardian consent for minors under 16 to access sexual and reproductive health services, as outlined in Section 7. Furthermore, Section 11 of the revised bill allows for government partnerships with the private sector to enhance the promotion of CSE.