Children play in front of a diorama depicting the execution of National Hero,  Dr. Jose Rizal as they spend time at the Luneta park on Independence day in Manila on June 12, 2024. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

MANILA (UPDATED) — Sen. Risa Hontiveros on Thursday said she has filed a substitute bill to address some of the "legitimate" concerns on the proposed measure seeking to prevent adolescent pregnancy, following backlash from her colleagues and other sectors. 

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Criticism of the bill, including claims that are not contained in the text of the proposed measure, saw seven senators withdraw support their support for the bill, which pushes the development and promotion of comprehensive sexuality education.

"Dahil sa dami at init ng mga diskusyon sa nilalaman ng Senate Bill No. 1979, kahapon [ay] minabuti nating mag-file ng isang substitute bill... This time I hope the Senate gives this a fair chance," Hontiveros said in a press conference.

(Because of the many and heated discussions on the contents of SB 1979, I took the initiative to file a substitute bill)

She said she has no problems with "true and sincere" concerns raised by opponents of the bill, adding she and her office have taken note of and have studied these concerns.

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"Yung misinterpretation ni Presidente at yung sadyang pag-misrepresent nung ilan, pag-fe-fake news at disinformation, pagsisinungaling tungkol sa bill, ay gaya ng nabanggit ko kanina, patuloy kong tinututulan," she said.

(The President's misinterpretation and the intention misrepresentation by some, through fake news and disinformation, outright lies about the bill, are something I continue to protest)

She said the substitute bill is meant to bring focus back to the need to address adolescent pregnancies.

WHAT ARE THE CHANGES?

The senator stood firm there was nothing wrong with her original bill, but said it was "important for us to find common ground" to salvage the proposed law to address teenage pregnancy in the Philippines. 

"Dahil sa kabila ng pagpapakalat ng mga fake news, nananatili ang ating tunay na misyon: ang maampat ang pagtaas ng maagang pagbubuntis ng mga batang Pilipino," Hontiveros said.

(Despite the fake news, the true mission remains: To address the rise in early pregnancy among young Filipinos)

The major amendment to the bill was the removal of the phrase "guided by international standards " in the implementation of comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) that lobbyists against the bill, as well as some senators, claimed would mean children would be taught masturbation and to consent to sex.

"Sa substitute bill, tinanggal na po ang CSE ay guided by international standards. Para hindi mabaluktot ng iba ang ibig sabihin nito," she explained.

(In the substitute bill, we have removed that CSE will be guided by international standards so the meaning cannot be twisted)

It was former Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno who raised the most vocal objection to the phrase, claiming that it refers to guidelines released by UNESCO and the World Health Organization supposedly teaching children how to masturbate.

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Sereno's sentiment was later echoed by President Marcos, Jr. and other senators, who withdrew their support for the bill.

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But Hontiveros said the contentious phrase was taken out of context. 

"Kahit sa orihinal na bersyon ng Senate Bill 1979 wala akong nakikitang problema nung phrase na 'yon dahil yun nga lamang po yun, guided o ginagabayan," Hontiveros said.

(I don't see a problem even in the original version of Senate Bill 1979 because that phrase simply means 'guided by')

She added that any proposed law will need to conform with the 1987 Constitution and with Filipino culture.

"Common sense, kung hindi akma sa ating kultura, ano pa mang international standards, hindi yan makakapasok," Hontiveros explained.

(Common sense, if it is not in line with Filipino culture, it will not be included, regardless of international standards)

Another refinement to the bill was a provision that now specifies that CSE would only be for adolescents, or those 10 years old and above.

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Hontiveros said that references to the queer community were also removed earlier in the legislative process, which she said started in 2023.

"Actually, originally, nandyan yung mga references sa LGBTQIA+, sa Senate Bill 1979. Dahil, pati yung mga LGBTQIA+ na kabataan, ay apektado ng adolescent pregnancy. Pero, sa isang maagang pagtugon sa mga concerns na inihain... at tanggap po ito ng aming mga advocates at partners sa pagsulong ng Senate Bill 1979," Hontiveros said.

(Originally, there were references to LGBTQIA+ people because they are also affected by adolescent pregnancy, but that was removed as an early response to concerns raised. That was accepted by our advocates and partners in pushing passage for this bill)

Hontiveros also explained that she already included the proposed changes coming from Senate President Francis Escudero.

'Double prejudicial questions' hound Senate's anti-teen pregnancy bill: Escudero

'NOTHING HIDDEN IN THE BILL'

The senator also addressed a colleague's remark that they were misled into supporting the bill, likening it to a "budol."

"There's nothing hidden in the bill... Ang totoong pambubudol ay yung ginawa ng mga nag-fake news laban sa bill, yung mga nagkalat ng disinformation," Hontiveros said.

(The true misdirection is using fake news to oppose the bill, spreading disinformation)

Sen. Joel Villanueva made the comment during the Kapihan sa Senado news conference last week, claiming also that the bill seemed to be a "prelude to abortion."

With the substitute bill filed, Hontiveros hopes senators would "come together" to finally pass the "urgent" legislation.

"I hope this allays valid and genuine fears [and] bring us senators together," Hontiveros said.

Marcos Jr., who earlier vowed to veto SB 1979 if not amended, on Thursday said he needs to "read the substitute bill first" when asked to comment on Hontiveros' move. — with a report from RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News

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