Hontiveros refutes 'false information' on adolescent pregnancy prevention bill

Manila Bulletin

Senator Risa Hontiveros refuted certain online criticisms against Senate Bill (SB) No. 1979, otherwise known as the Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy Act of 2023, even as she dismissed them as "false information". (Video courtesy by Risa Hontiveros)  READ: https://mb.com.ph/2025/1/16/hontiveros-refutes-false-information-on-adolescent-pregnancy-prevention-bill  Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5664f6TkaeHgwBly50DWZQ/join  Subscribe to the Manila Bulletin Online channel! - https://www.youtube.com/TheManilaBulletin  Visit our website at http://mb.com.ph Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/manilabulletin Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/manila_bulletin Instagram: https://instagram.com/manilabulletin Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@manilabulletin  #ManilaBulletinOnline #ManilaBulletin #LatestNews

Transcript

00:00National and Social Emergency.

00:03In 2019, NEDA, or National Economic and Development Authority,

00:10announced that an early pregnancy is a national and social emergency.

00:16That is the reason why we are working with the Congress on the Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy Bill

00:24to help, support, and protect children.

00:30This bill isn't just necessary, it's urgent.

00:33We cannot ignore this issue anymore.

00:37As a bill, it is shocking and infuriating

00:43to see lies spread on social media against this bill.

00:51We all want what's best for our children,

00:54but outright lies, misinformation, disinformation, and promoting fear

01:01can lead to more harmful decisions about our teens' lives.

01:07They are confusing us.

01:10This morning, we will clarify and eliminate a lot of misinformation about this bill.

01:21I am also joined by Usec Angelo Tapales of the Council for the Welfare of Children

01:27and Dr. G.P. Perez, former Executive Director of POPCOM,

01:32to express their support for our discussion.

01:38What are the mistakes?

01:41First, there is no provision about teaching or encouraging masturbation

01:51to children ages 0 to 4 years old,

01:54or teaching bodily pleasure to children ages 6 to 9 years old,

02:02or teaching to children with sexual rights.

02:07Absolutely none of these concepts exist in our bill.

02:13Those lines, in their supposed rebuttal, are complete and total fabrication.

02:21Second, it is not used here in the Philippines

02:25to impose standards for sexuality education in Europe.

02:31This is also not a reference to comprehensive sexuality education,

02:38but the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Law

02:43that has been passed for a long time,

02:45so we can be sure that it is in accordance with our Constitution.

02:51There is also nothing in the bill that says that standards should be followed in other countries.

02:58That is why their post that the Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy Bill is unconstitutional is completely wrong.

03:08Third, another fake news,

03:12that if a child is sexually active,

03:15it can no longer be told to the parents.

03:19Where did they get that from?

03:21I don't know.

03:23Because there is no law or any kind of police in the Philippines

03:27that will forbid parents to guide their children.

03:35In short, I can confidently say,

03:38these outrageous claims from Project Dalisay were pulled out of thin air.

03:46There is already a national emergency.

03:48What they are implementing is a threat to the Filipinos.

03:54Enough is enough.

03:56Let us demand real education for our kids.

04:01As a mother of four children,

04:04three of whom are women,

04:06and as a lifelong believer,

04:11I will not allow our children to be deceived.

04:17Let us stand up for what is right.

04:20I also urge our allies and stakeholders

04:25to raise your voices

04:28so that this fake news can spread.

04:41For more UN videos visit www.un.org

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