Marcos Jr., lawmakers oppose Senate Bill 1979 on sexual education

Several groups, lawmakers, and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. have expressed disapproval of Senate Bill 1979, which seeks to implement comprehensive sexual education (CSE) to prevent adolescent pregnancies.

The bill mandates age-appropriate CSE in all levels of education, aiming to equip young people with the skills to make informed decisions about their sexual and social relationships.

Critics have cited concerns over 'international standards' mentioned in the bill, which they interpret as potentially teaching topics like early childhood masturbation to four-year-olds, despite assurances from Senator Hontiveros that such content is not intended for the Philippine context.

The DepEd has already been integrating CSE into its curriculum since 2018 through DepEd Order No. 31, with goals of enhancing self-esteem and developing respectful interpersonal relationships among learners.