Senator Risa Hontiveros filed a revised version of her proposed Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy Act, following the withdrawal of support from seven of her colleagues due to concerns over the bill’s content.
Hontiveros swiftly introduced a substitute measure that addressed objections raised by conservative groups and fellow senators, particularly regarding the scope of comprehensive sex education (CSE) for young students.
The new version of the bill now limits CSE to adolescents aged 10 and above and guarantees academic and religious freedom.
Despite the revisions, Hontiveros remains committed to tackling the issue of teenage pregnancy and is open to further discussions on improving the bill.
Some senators, including JV Ejercito and Jinggoy Estrada, withdrew their signatures, urging more dialogue to ensure the bill is well-rounded and meets the needs of all stakeholders.
Source: PhilNews24 | January 24, 2025
