Leody de Guzman pushes for comprehensive sexuality education law

Labor leader Leody de Guzman said Saturday he would push for the passage of a comprehensive sexuality education law if elected to the Senate in May.

In an event at the Commission on Human Rights, De Guzman signed the “Youth Agenda,'' where he agreed to support an increase in the education budget to cover rising costs, reject proposals for a mandatory ROTC, require schools to use renewable energy sources, and pass the universal students’ Magna Carta.

De Guzman also wants Congress to pass a comprehensive sexuality education law.

“Hindi natutugunan ng kasalukyang sistema ng edukasyon ang pangangailanga na turuan, gabayan at higit sa lahat i-empower ang kabataan sa usapin ng kanilang sekswalidad, na siyang pinagsasamantalahan ng mga predator,” said de Guzman.

(The current education system is no longer able to address the need to teach, guide, and empower children on the topic of sexuality, which the predators are taking advantage of.)

“Kailangan nating pagsumikapan na ihawan ang landas para sa pagbabagong nararapat para sa kabataan at mga susunod pang henerasyon… Matatalino ang kabataan, alam nila ang pagbabagong kinakailangan para sa kanilang karapatan at kagalingan. Mahalaga ang ganitong mga konsultasyon sa mga isyu’t aspirasyon dahil ang aking kampanya ay mula sa tao para sa tao,” he added.

(We need to work on creating a path for a proper change for our children and the coming generation… The youth are smart, they know what changes are needed for their rights and improvement. It is important to have these consultations on issues and aspirations because my campaign is from the people, for the people.)

In the 19th Congress, several groups have raised concerns about Senate Bill 1979 due to the alleged "inappropriate concepts" in the proposed legislation.

Among their concerns are the supposed introduction of masturbation for children aged zero to four years old and teaching "bodily pleasure" or "sexual rights" to children aged six to nine years old under SB 1979's provision on Comprehensive Sexual Education (CSE).

Opposition over the program's discussion of concepts like "gender fluidity" and "sexual diversity," contraception, abortion, and non-traditional relationships was also raised.

Amid these concerns, Senator Risa Hontiveros, the principal author of the bill, said there were no such provisions in the proposed measure. — Jiselle Anne Casucian/VBL, GMA Integrated News

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