SENATOR Risa Hontiveros expressed dismay over fake information circulating against Senate Bill No. 1979, the Proposed Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy Act of 2023.

“Nakakagulat at nakakagalit ang mga kasinungalingan na kumakalat sa social media laban sa panukalang batas na ito. We all want what’s best for our children, but outright lies, misinformation, disinformation, and promoting fear can lead to more harmful decisions about our teen’s lives. Nililito lang nila tayo,” she said.

Hontiveros was responding to an online petition by the National Coalition for the Family and the Constitution’s Project Dalisay, which claims the legislation threatens the country’s societal, moral, and spiritual foundations.

The senator clarified that the bill does not include provisions encouraging masturbation for children aged 0 to 4 or teaching bodily pleasure to children aged 6 to 9. “Absolutely none of those concepts exist in our bill. Those lines in their supposed rebuttal are complete fabrications,” Hontiveros said.

She emphasized that the controversial Comprehensive Sexual Education in the bill is based on the responsible parenthood and reproductive health law, not European standards.

“Wala ring sinasabi sa bill na kailangan sundin ang mga patakaran sa ibang bansa. Kaya maling-mali talaga yang mga post nila na unconstitutional daw ang Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy Bill,” Hontiveros stressed.

“I can confidently say these outrageous claims from Project Dalisay were pulled out of thin air,” she added.

The senator criticized the group for spreading fear, especially considering the growing cases of teenage pregnancy, which she called a national emergency.

“Bilang ina ng apat na anak, na tatlo sa kanila ay babae, at bilang isang panghabambuhay na mananampalataya, hindi ko po hahayaang mabalot sa kasinungalingan ang mga bata,” Hontiveros concluded.