Former Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno talks to the media after her visit at Senator Antonio Trillanes IV at the Senate on September 12, 2018. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News/File

MANILA — The new version of the anti-teenage pregnancy bill being pushed by its main proponent Sen. Risa Hontiveros still failed to appease former chief justice Maria Lourdes Sereno.

Hontiveros last week announced that she had filed a substitute measure to the Senate Bill 1979 or the Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy Bill to address worries raised by the group of Sereno, who had falsely claimed that young students would be taught to masturbate under the bill merely because it was guided by "international standards."

Under the substitute bill, Hontiveros said she had removed the contentious phrase to steer the measure to passage to address the rise of adolescent pregnancies in the Philippines, which she said is a "national emergency."

'Para hindi na mabaluktot': Hontiveros refines anti-teen pregnancy bill

Sereno and opponents to the bill had said that even though the teaching of self-pleasure is not found in the proposed legislation, references to international standards from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in SB 1979 and its counterpart House Bill No. 8910 mean that is what will happen anyway.

While Hontiveros still believes that there was nothing wrong with the use of the phrase and that critics made false claims about the legislation, she said it was important to find a common ground.

COMPREHENSIVE SEXUALITY EDUCATION

Speaking on ANC on Monday, Sereno said she still rejected Hontiveros' substitute bill. She now takes issue with the use of the phrase "comprehensive sexuality education."

"Bakit kailangang gawing CSE? Bakit hindi SE, bakit hindi FSE, Filipino Sexuality Education?" Sereno said, stressing that the focus should be to equip parents on how to educate their children about the "dangers" of teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.

The former magistrate also claimed that, among other things, the use of "comprehensive sexuality education" (CSE) would mean teaching students "solo and mutual masturbation, gender fluidity, and sexuality rights" because CSE is a standard set by the WHO and UNESCO.

But in her press conference on Thursday, Hontiveros said comprehensive sexuality education is just one of the provisions of the bill to combat adolescent pregnancy, noting that in the improved bill, only students aged 10 and above would receive CSE.

CSE does not promote masturbation, the WHO has clarified, pointing out that young people are more likely to delay the onset of sexual activity when they are better informed about their sexuality, sexual health, and rights.

"[W]hat we are pushing for is an age- and development-appropriate and culturally sensitive response to this national and social emergency. Gusto natin na maging mas malinaw na ang anumang ituturo sa ating kabataan ay sang-ayon sa kultura at konteksto nating mga Pilipino," the lawmaker said.

"This substitute bill now also includes a clear provision guaranteeing academic freedom and religious freedom."

GROUP: READ THE BILL BEFORE FORMING CONCLUSIONSStudents from the Araullo Highschool read materials containing sex health education during the Health Information Dissemination Program held on October 01, 2019. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News/File

Misinformation about the Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy Bill has spread on social media, and the ensuing backlash prompted at least seven senators to withdraw support for the bill. 

The false narrative was even used by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who had vowed to block the bill because of its "ridiculous and abhorrent" provisions. Later, the Palace said it welcomed Hontiveros' substitute bill.

Benjo Basas, Teachers' Dignity Coalition national chairperson, on Monday reiterated their support for the bill and urged critics "to thoroughly review its content before forming conclusions." 

He said that "some opposition stems from exaggerated claims not reflective of the proposed policy or even the existing DepEd program."

Basas added that while they recognize the importance of sex education, he stressed this must be done along with intensive training for teachers who will handle the lessons as well as active involvement from parents and communities.

PARENTAL RIGHTS

Child Rights Network, one the largest alliance of organizations pushing for child rights legislation in the Philippines, said Friday they supported Hontiveros' substitute bill, adding that they believe the fresh version was acceptable and enough to pacify concerns raised by critics.

"We support it not because we believe that there’s anything wrong with being guided by international standards that can be truly applied to the Philippine cultural context, pero para hindi na ito gamitin to spread disinformation and ignite fears about comprehensive sexuality education and the bill," the group said.

It added that the bill would not take away parental rights and instead would empower guardians with knowledge and skills to protect their children.

"We maintain that sexuality education is best taught at home, and that parents should take primary responsibility for this. Gayunpaman, hindi natin maitatanggi ang reyalidad na madalas iwasan ng mga Pilipinong magulang ang mga usaping sekswal sa kanilang mga anak. Gayundin ang kanilang mga anak, they do not really seek that conversation with their parents," the group said.

"How can children prevent something like teenage pregnancy if they do not know anything or rely on inaccurate information that they’ve just heard somewhere?"

CSOs tell senators: Bring objections to anti-teen pregnancy bill to floor debates

Child Rights Network also called on the public to be discerning about "what are genuine attempts to express fears or legitimate concerns to improve a proposed measure and what are attempts to completely undermine legislation to fit an agenda." 

"Because if after the filing of this substitute bill and the opposition is still not satisfied—even after the author has changed the language of the bill to allay alleged fears—then it casts doubt on their sincerity in really wanting to reach a solution."