Hot Newsslotbet Several senators withdraw support for anti-teen pregnancy bill
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MANILA, Philippines — Several senators have withdrawn their support for the controversial bill seeking to prevent adolescent pregnancies in the country.
In a letter to Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero on Tuesday, Senators JV Ejercito, Nancy Binay, Cynthia Villar, and Christopher “Bong” Go requested the withdrawal of their signatures from Committee Report No. 41.
Article continues after this advertisementREAD: Bong Revilla, Imee Marcos clarify stance on anti-teen pregnancy bill
FEATURED STORIES NEWSINFO Several senators withdraw support for anti-teen pregnancy bill NEWSINFO DepEd eyes enforcement of reduced Senior High School subjects in 2025 NEWSINFO Death by firing squad for corrupt gov’t officials pushedThe committee report contained Senate Bill No. 1979 known as the “Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy Act of 2023.”
“In light of the recent feedback and numerous concerns raised on Senate Bill No. 1979, entitled an Act Providing for a National Policy in Preventing Adolescent Pregnancies, Institutionalizing Social Protection for Adolescent Parents, and Providing Funds Thereof, under Committee Report No. 41, we respectfully request the withdrawal of out signatures from the said committee report,” their letter reads.
Article continues after this advertisement“While we believe that the prevalence of adolescent pregnancy is an issue that must be urgently addressed, it is our position that further dialogues with stakeholders is essential in order to accurately dispel misconception and remove objectionable portions from the bill,” they added.
In a press conference late Tuesday afternoon, Philippine Seven Corp. (PSC) head of finance and investor relations Lawrence de Leon said they have 4,022 stores to date.
The Marcos administration aims to reduce the poverty incidence between 8.8 and nine percent by 2028.
Article continues after this advertisement Sen. Loren Legarda, in another letter to the Senate chief on Wednesday, likewise requested the withdrawal of her signature from the committee report. Also in separate letters to Escudero, Senate President Pro Tempore Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada and Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., one of the authors of the bill, expressed their desire to “disassociate” themselves from the bill.“I arrived at this informed decision after I have carefully evaluated the sentiments and grave concerns of various private organizations that have expressed strong opposition to the proposed legislation,” Estrada said.
Article continues after this advertisementHe confirmed in a text message to reporters that he was also withdrawing his signature from the committee report.
Revilla, meanwhile, admitted that his withdrawal of support from the measure was influenced by recent sentiments against the proposed legislation.
Article continues after this advertisement“Upon further study and taking into consideration the recent sentiments voiced by our kababayans, I find myself in conflict with the possible outcomes should the said legislative measure be enacted into law,” he said.
SBN 1979 remains pending on the Senate floor while its counterpart in the House of Representatives was already approved last September.
“While I remain committed to addressing critical issues, such as adolescent pregnancy and supporting comprehensive protection measures for adolescent parents, I believe that certain aspects of the proposed legislation require further refinement to better align with my advocacies and the interests of our constituents,” Revilla said.
bwo99 slotThe National Coalition for the Family and the Constitution’s Project Dalisay has launched an online petition against SBN 1979, which seeks to mandate, amoong others, the implementation of Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) program in all public and private education institutions.
The bill states that CSE should be integrated into the school curriculum “guided by DepEd (Department of Education) and international standards.”
But for Project Dalisay, the mention of “international standards” implied that the country is open to the concepts of CSE, “including childhood masturbation.”
“Yun ang impact ng pag-incorporate ng ‘international standards.’ (That is the impact of incorporating ‘international standards.’) The bill imported an entire sexuality worldview and approach,” the group said in their petition.
Senators Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and Imee Marcos, authors of SBN 1979, have also distanced themselves from the measure.
Both filed separate measures on anti-teen pregnancies, which were incorporated in the substitute SBN 1979.
Revilla, however, clarified in a statement on Tuesday that SBN 1979 contains provisions that were not in his proposal.
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Marcos also claimed the substitute bill was “significantly different” from her measure.slotbet
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