On Monday, January 20, 2025, President Marcos Jr. opposed Senate Bill 1979, the Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy Act, citing concerns over sexual education provisions for young children and plans to veto it.

The Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy Act aims to address the rising rates of teenage pregnancies in the Philippines, which have reached alarming levels. 

Advocates argue that Senate Bill No. 1979 is essential for providing adolescents with the necessary knowledge and resources to make informed decisions about their sexual health. 

The bill proposes integrating comprehensive sexual education into school curricula, which supporters believe will help normalize discussions about reproductive health and reduce stigma.

The President made the statements during a media interview at the Tesla Center Philippines’ launch in Taguig on Monday, when he voiced his dismay after looking into the proposed legislation’s details over the weekend. “Over the weekend, I finally read in detail Senate Bill 1979. And I was shocked,” Marcos said.

“I was appalled by some elements of that. All this ‘woke’ that they are trying to bring into our system… You will teach 4-year-olds how to masturbate. That every child has the right to try different sexualities. This is ridiculous. It is abhorrent. It is a travesty of what sexual [orientation] and sex education should be to the children,” the President added.

The President is concerned that the proposed law will remove parents from their role in teaching and influencing their children about sex education and sexuality.

Moreover, Senator Risa Hontiveros informed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday that he need not be concerned about the planned Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy Act of 2023.

Marcos previously claimed to have read SB No. 1979 and was “shocked” and “appalled” by several aspects of the proposed bill.

Marcos even promised to reject the law in the current form.

As discussions continue, it remains to be seen how lawmakers will address President Marcos’s concerns while striving to pass a bill that effectively tackles adolescent pregnancy in the Philippines.

How does Senate Bill No. 1979 aim to address the issue of adolescent pregnancy in the Philippines?

According to Senate Bill No. 1979, or the Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy Act, an act providing for a national policy in preventing adolescent pregnancies, institutionalizing social protection for adolescent parents, and providing funds therefor and the proposed law aims to provide a national framework for tackling adolescent pregnancy by including comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) into the school curriculum, providing access to reproductive health care, and establishing community-based initiatives to support pregnant teens and young parents.

Sources (1), (2), (3), (4), (5)

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