Groups call out ex-CJ Sereno for alleged 'misinformation' on anti-teen pregnancy bill

Several child rights and health advocates on Friday denounced former Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno and her group, National Coalition for the Family and the Constitution (NCFC), for allegedly spreading 'misinformation' on Senate Bill No. 1979 or the Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention bill.

"With all due respect to former Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, her group knew what it was doing by placing 'childhood masturbation' and other click baits front and center in their explainers to ignite opposition against comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) and the bill," Child Rights Network (CRN) said in a collective statement during a press conference.

NCFC, the group behind "Project Dalisay," earlier raised concerns about SB 1979, particularly on the section on Comprehensive Sexual Education (CSE).

"Project Dalisay you are very irresponsible. Nasa kamay po ninyo kapag next year ay tumaas pa ang adoslescent pregnancy sa ating bansa," said Au Quilala, deputy executive director of the Philippine Legislators Committee on Population and Development.

According to a "24 Oras" report by Maki Pulido, Serereno did not directly respond to the groups, but issued a statement, saying "It is my duty to warn all parents of the dangers of CSE (Comprehensive Sexuality Education), which are fully embedded in SB 1979."

"SB 1979 had to be fully stopped, as well as DepEd Order #31. Both go against the Constitution and the Filipino values.  This is a matter beyond personalities.  We are talking about fundamental freedoms and protection of our children," Sereno said.

Sereno earlier said that the bill provided that the CSE would align with "international standards," which she deemed to be the curriculum set by UNESCO and the World Health Organization.

She said this curriculum by international organizations has provisions about teaching or encouraging masturbation for children aged zero to four years old and teaching "bodily pleasure" or "sexual rights" to children ages six to nine.

Adolescent health advocates pointed out the rise in teen pregnancy through the years.

In 2018, the National Economic and Development Authority declared a "national and social emergency"  amid the increase in adolescents getting pregnant.

During the same year, teen pregnancies reached 2,250.  In 2023, the number grew bigger to 3,343.

Most of the cases were victims of sexual abuse or have been impregnated by older men, the report said.

"It has tripled in the last 16 years, the incidence of adolescent pregnancy, and in 2023 it now includes a nine-year-old," said Dr. Jeep Perez of the Forum for Family Planning and Development.

"Nine to 16 year-old girls have a high risk of rape which is five times higher than all women and girls," Perez added.

Dr. Angela Sison-Aguilar of the Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology Society of the Philippines raised the rsks of early pregnancy in young women.

"Below age of 15 have a much higher rate of maternal morbidity and mortality. Namamatay po sila at napipinsala compared with older women," Sison-Aguilar added.

SB 1979, authored by Senator Risa Hontiveros, aims to help address the lack of service, education, and information on adolescent pregnancy.

CRN emphasized that the Comprehensive Sexuality Education in the bill is age-appropriate and culturally sensitive.

"It involves both parents and educators. It will not teach inappropriate lessons to children. Rather, it will protect children from sexual abuse and early pregnancies, which usually starts with teaching young children about good touch, bad touch, and healthy boundaries," Quilala said. 

Hontiveros had said she would file a substitute measure for her bill amid the withdrawal of support of seven of her colleagues.

Malacanang welcomed the move. —LDF, GMA Integrated News