President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. recently voiced strong opposition to Senate Bill No. 1979, citing concerns over so-called “woke absurdities” embedded in the proposed legislation aimed at preventing adolescent pregnancies.
Marcos Expresses Concerns Over ‘Woke’ Provisions
President Marcos emphasized his support for sex education but revealed his alarm upon reviewing the detailed provisions of Senate Bill No. 1979 over the weekend. According to him, the bill contained proposals that he found shocking and inappropriate.
“You will teach four-year-olds how to masturbate, that every child has the right to try different sexualities,” Marcos stated. “This is ridiculous, it is abhorrent. It is a travesty of what sex education should be to the children.”
While reiterating the importance of teaching anatomy, HIV prevention, and the consequences of early pregnancy, Marcos firmly opposed what he described as “woke absurdities.”
“Yung mga sinama nila na ‘woke’ na absurdities are abhorrent to me,” he stressed.
The president assured the public that he would veto the bill in its current form, stating:
“If this bill is passed in that form, I guarantee all parents, teachers, and children, I will immediately veto it.”
Key Features of Senate Bill No. 1979
Senate Bill No. 1979, crafted to address the Philippines’ high rate of adolescent pregnancies, advocates for “comprehensive sexuality education” that is medically accurate, culturally sensitive, rights-based, inclusive, and non-discriminatory.
Contrary to claims by critics, Senator Risa Hontiveros, chairperson of the committee that prepared the bill, clarified:
“Maliwanag na wala po sa bill kahit ang salita na ‘masturbation.’ Wala din po yung ‘try different sexualities.’”
Hontiveros explained that the bill merely seeks to reinforce current efforts to educate students on:
- Anatomy and reproductive health
- The consequences of early pregnancy
- Preventative measures against sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV
House Bill 8910 Faces Pushback
In addition to the Senate version, House Bill 8910, also known as the Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Act, faces backlash from lawmakers and religious groups. Representative Bienvenido Abante Jr. described both bills as “garbage legislation” and called for a reassessment:
“I believe these bills should be returned and recommitted to the appropriate committees, especially to the Committee on Education.”
Opposition Stems From Misinterpretations
Critics, including church-based groups like Project Dalisay, argue that the bill aligns with international guidance promoting normalization of concepts like masturbation. However, no explicit mention of these topics appears in the bill’s text. Senator Hontiveros refuted these claims:
“Kung saan nila nahugot yan, hindi ko alam. Dahil walang batas o anumang polisiya sa Pilipinas ang magtatangkang magbawal sa mga magulang na gumabay sa ating mga anak.”
Current Status and Implications
As the Senate has not yet scheduled the bill for debate, its passage before the legislature adjourns remains unlikely. This delay leaves the issue of adolescent pregnancy prevention unresolved ahead of the May 12 midterm elections.
Advertisement
FAQs
1. What are President Marcos’ objections to Senate Bill No. 1979?
President Marcos opposes what he terms “woke absurdities,” including claims that the bill teaches young children to masturbate or explore different sexualities, though these are not explicitly mentioned in the bill.
2. What is the primary goal of the teen pregnancy prevention bill?
The bill aims to provide age-appropriate, comprehensive sexuality education to reduce the high rates of adolescent pregnancy in the Philippines.
3. Does the bill restrict parental authority?
No, proponents like Senator Hontiveros emphasize that the bill does not undermine parental guidance.
4. Will the bill likely pass soon?
Given current delays and opposition, it is unlikely to pass before the legislative adjournment in early 2025.
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and does not substitute official legislative updates. Always consult verified government sources for accurate information.
