MANILA, (PIA) — Senator Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri voiced strong opposition to several provisions of Senate Bill No. 1979, particularly those addressing adolescent education and the introduction of sex education at an early age.
In a statement, Zubiri expressed his concerns that the bill does not align with conservative national values and could lead to unintended consequences, including an increase in adolescent pregnancies.
He argued that rather than preventing such pregnancies, early sex education might encourage experimentation among youth.
“Instead of preventing adolescent pregnancy, we might see even more cases due to experimentation,” Zubiri warned.
He referenced the experiences of other countries where liberal sex education policies have reportedly led to children as young as six being taught about contraceptive use and sexual activities.
“We do not want this to happen in our country. We must protect our youth from educational content that could promote premature sexual experimentation,” he said, emphasizing the importance of preserving cultural and moral values in society.
While acknowledging the intentions of his colleague, Senator Risa Hontiveros, in crafting the bill to support teenage mothers and address adolescent pregnancy, Zubiri maintained that these goals could be achieved without controversial sex education programs.
As a pro-life, pro-family, and pro-God legislator, Zubiri firmly believes that sexual education should be the responsibility of parents rather than schools. He said, “It is better for parents to teach their children about such sensitive issues according to their beliefs and culture.”
Zubiri stressed the importance of instilling proper morality, discipline, and family values, arguing that teaching sexual pleasure and orientation at a young age could lead to confusion and moral decline.
He also expressed support for provisions that focus on healthcare and support for teenage mothers, advocating for proper access to healthcare without including sex education at an early age.
In conclusion, Zubiri urged his Senate colleagues to carefully review the bill’s provisions, insisting that legislative measures should reflect the values and beliefs of the majority of Filipinos.
“We must not impose policies that could weaken the morality and character of our youth,” he asserted. (JCO/PIA-NCR)
