Constitution forbids sex education in schools, senatorial bet claims

Only parents should teach children about sex and reproductive health because the 1987 Constitution says so. This was claimed on Monday by Jo Aurea Imbong, a senatorial candidate of the Ang Kapatiran Party, who has been vocal about her opposition to the controversial reproductive health bill which allows sex education in schools starting Grade 5. Imbong, a lawyer and professor, used to head the legal office of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines. “Sex education in schools is banned by the Constitution," she said in Filipino at the Hiritan 2010 forum of GMA News and Public Affairs’ Unang Hirit. Imbong said the restriction is provided by Section 12, Article II of the Charter, which states that: "The natural and primary right and duty of parents in the rearing of the youth for civic efficiency and the development of moral character shall receive the support of the government." On the other hand, economics professor and GMA News resident analyst Solita “Mareng Winnie" Monsod refuted Imbong’s claims. Monsod asked that if the moral upbringing of children depends on their parents, then why are there religion classes in schools? Imbong replied: “The teaching of religion in Catholic schools is a reinforcement [of what is said on the Constitution]. The teaching of religion is with parental consent." “It is the primary right of the parent to bring up their children according to their religious convictions; the state merely reinforces," she added. Monsod then said that if parents give their consent to religion classes, then sex education can be allowed provided that parents also give their consent. But Imbong disagreed. "It does not follow because sex education in public schools [should] refer to religious and spiritual instruction. Now, public schools do not have a religious and moral component in their sex education modules [which] insult the rights of the parents," she said. The RH bill The proposed RH bill, or An Act Providing for a National Policy on Reproductive Health, Responsible Parenthood and Population Development, has long been pending in Congress. The House of Representatives version proposes, among others, mandatory age-appropriate reproductive health education starting Grade 5, and the purchase of contraceptives by state hospitals as part of its essential medicines and supplies. Its Senate version, Senate Bill 3122, was also up for interpellation but Congress adjourned session last February. The Church strongly opposed the measure, insisting that contraception promotes promiscuity. Debates on contraception raged early this year after Health Sec. Esperanza Cabral’s department distributed free condoms last Valentine’s Day as part of its advocacy against the spread of the HIV/AIDS virus. Imbong had appeared on television programs criticizing the distribution of condoms. - RJAB Jr., GMANews.TV