House Urged

No parents' consent?

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Rodriguez said Article IV, Section 26, Paragraph (1) of the Constitution states: "Every bill passed by Congress shall embrace only one subject matter which shall be expressed in the title thereof."

He said HB 8910 "is very deceptive considering that (while) a reading of the title of the bill will show that it deals with the prevention of adolescent pregnancies and protection of adolescent parents, the bill in fact is mainly on institutionalizing CASE."

The Cagayan de Oro representative noted the apprehensions and warnings expressed by the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches and Public Policy Review Commission chairperson and former chief justice Maria Lourdes Sereno that CASE, which is being promoted by three United Nations agencies, "is an international program...that will hyper-sexualize children at a very early age."

"It has been alleged that CASE will result in undermining parental authority, early sexualization, promoting risky behaviors, contradicting constitutional values, failing to establish abstinence, introducing age-inappropriate content and promotion of homosexuality/bisexuality," Rodriguez said.

He also maintained that HB 8910 violates constitutional provisions (Sec. 2(1), Art XV) on the right of spouses to build a family in accordance with their religious convictions and the demands of responsible parenthood.

No parents' consent?

Rodriguez argued the bill has provisions that allow minors to access reproductive health information and services "without the need of consent from a parent or guardian."

Another provision, Rodriguez said, states that if the parents refuse consent, minors may obtain one from a duly licensed and trained health service provider. "These provisions are clear violations of the Constitution," Rodriguez stressed.