Zubiri fears SB 1979 could encourage early sexual experimentation
Sen. Juan Miguel “Migz” F. Zubiri. (Senate Public Relations and Information Bureau)
MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri on Friday joined some of his colleagues in sounding the alarm over the controversial Senate Bill No. 1979, warning that it could force children to “experiment” in terms of sex.
Zubiri, who deemed himself as a conservative lawmaker, told reporters in a press conference that he is against teaching children in school, especially those only between six and seven years old, about sexual and pleasurable activities.
“The people should know that. Do they want their children who are 6 years old, 7 years old [are] taught to use condoms. They are being taught sexual activities and pleasurable activities utilizing our bodies, for example masturbation,” said Zubiri in a mix of Filipino and English.
“As a parent, I don’t agree with that. I would be angry at that kind of school teaching and it would push for experimentation with children. What will happen there, like the European Union, the average age of children having sex is 12 years old,” he emphasized in Filipino.
While it does not apply to all, Zubiri cited a study, saying that youth in the Philippines start experimenting about sex beginning the ages of 16, 17, and 18, leading him to conclude that the Philippines is more conservative compared to other foreign nations.
Article continues after this advertisement“I want to keep it that way because we are a more conservative society. But when you teach children who are only six years old — these sexual orientations, sexual pleasure, we will really have problems,” Zubiri pointed out partly in Filipino.
Article continues after this advertisement“Instead of the bill preventing adolescent pregnancy, baka magkakaroon pa tayo lalo ng mas maraming adolescent pregnancy because of experimentation. The trend all over the world is going back to conservatism,” he emphasized.
(Instead of the bill preventing adolescent pregnancy, we might even have more adolescent pregnancies because of experimentation. The trend all over the world is going back to conservatism.)
But would he support the bill should provisions pushing for an integrated teaching of sex at “all levels” be removed? Zubiri said as a measure that protects teenage pregnant women, he would be okay with it as long as no abortion will be included.
“As a measure that protects teenage pregnant women, I’m okay with that as long as there is no abortion. But all sections which discuss the education, training, orientation of young people particularly on [sex] should be deleted,” said Zubiri in Filipino.
“This proposal really needs to be discussed thoroughly,” he added.
Earlier, Sen. Risa Hontiveros, author of the bill, already refuted the circulating “lies” surrounding the legislation.
“The lies being spread on social media against this bill are shocking and infuriating. 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. They’re just confusing us,” she said in a mix of Filipino and English.
The opposition lawmaker’s remarks came after the National Coalition for the Family and the Constitution’s Project Dalisay made an online petition seeking to junk SBN 1979, claiming that the legislation poses a significant threat to the country’s societal, moral, and spiritual foundations.
