Hontiveros clarifies false claims on Adolescent Pregnancy Bill

Senator Risa Hontiveros addressed false claims circulating on social media regarding Senate Bill No. 1979, known as the Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy Act of 2023, during a press conference at the Senate on Wednesday.

She emphasized that her bill is urgently needed to address what NEDA has identified as a 'national and social emergency' since 2019 and assured Filipinos that all questions will be clarified once debates regarding the bill are opened in plenary.

Senator Hontiveros reiterated that the controversial Comprehensive Sexual Education program mentioned in her bill is unrelated to European standards and does not contain provisions about teaching 'bodily pleasure' or 'sexual rights' to young children, asserting these claims are fabricated.

The senator stressed that the focus of the bill is on responsible parenthood and child protection, refuting false claims from groups like Project Dalisay and highlighting that parents have a primary duty to educate their children about sexuality as per RA 11908.

Undersecretary Angelo Tapales of the Council for the Welfare of Children and Dr. Jeepy Perez, former executive director of the Population Commission, support the bill, emphasizing its urgent need to combat adolescent pregnancies.