The Philippine Senate is considering a controversial Senate Bill aimed at implementing "age-appropriate" and compulsory "comprehensive sexuality education" (CSE) in schools. The Bill's purpose is to address the nation's high rates of teen pregnancies and sexual assault among minors. However, it has become a focal point of heated debate, with President Ferdinand Marcos vowing to veto the legislation should it pass Congress.
The proposed CSE concept follows guidelines from UNESCO and the World Health Organization (WHO). Despite President Marcos's claims that the Bill would encourage inappropriate behavior among young children, WHO clarified that they do not endorse any specific acts in their documents.
"However, we recognize that children across the world start to explore their bodies through sight and touch at a relatively early age. This is an observation, not a recommendation."
Currently, sex education exists in public schools for students aged 10 to 19, following the passage of a reproductive health law in 2012. However, private schools, many affiliated with the Catholic Church, remain exempt from this requirement. The Bill's passage remains uncertain as the Senate has yet to schedule a floor debate, and legislative adjournment looms early next month.
President Marcos criticized the Bill, associating its elements with "woke" ideologies and describing them as "abhorrent" and "ridiculous." He specifically took issue with perceived notions in the Bill.
"You will teach four-year-olds how to masturbate. That every child has the right to try different sexualities. This is ridiculous," – Marcos
Senator Risa Hontiveros, who introduced the Bill, refuted Marcos's allegations, asserting that terms like "masturbation" and "trying different sexualities" do not appear in her proposal. She expressed openness to refining the Bill through amendments.
"I am willing to accept amendments to refine the Bill so we can steer it to passage." – Senator Risa Hontiveros
The contentious nature of the Bill is compounded by the Philippines' unique legal landscape; it remains one of only two countries, alongside the Vatican, where divorce is still banned. This cultural backdrop adds layers of complexity to discussions around sexuality education.
President Marcos emphasized the importance of teaching reproductive anatomy due to health concerns such as AIDS and early pregnancies.
"Sex education in terms of teaching kids the anatomy of the reproductive systems of male and female is extremely important," – Marcos
Despite the House of Representatives passing an adolescent pregnancy prevention Bill in 2023, it failed to become law due to a lack of a Senate counterpart. The current Senate Bill faces a similar fate with its passage unlikely before the May 12 midterm elections.
Leave a Reply