Religious leaders and lawmakers, including Cibac party-list Rep. Eddie Villanueva, have opposed House Bill 8910, which introduces comprehensive sex education to address the rise in teenage pregnancies.
Villanueva argued that the bill contradicts biblical principles and undermines parents’ primary duty to raise their children.
Critics, including former Manila mayor Lito Atienza, also claimed the bill exposes young children to inappropriate content, though these claims have been debunked by Sen. Risa Hontiveros, the bill’s author.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. emphasized the need for sex education, citing alarming statistics showing over 3,000 pregnancies among girls under 15 in 2023.
The Senate counterpart, SB 1979, remains pending amid debates on balancing education and cultural values.
Source: PhilNews24 | January 20, 2025
