If those who filed Senate Bill 1979 about Sexuality Education are now in hot waters, with criticisms coming from numerous Philippine parents and educators, not to mention their fellow Senators who have withdrawn their signatures from the Bill, it was due to their tactical error of referring to complying with “international standards.”  This was tantamount to a wholesale surrender to many cultural and moral values that are in complete contradiction to those of the vast majority of Filipinos, regardless of religious beliefs.  This serious danger of “ideological colonization” was recently unearthed by the withdrawal of the U.S. from the World Health Organization (WHO) announced by President Donald Trump almost immediately after he was inaugurated as U.S. Chief Executive.

            I just read an article by Kimberly Ells, author of the book Invincible Family whose theme is in perfect consonance with the spirit and provisions of the Philippine Constitution of 1987 that states that “marriage is an inviolable institution” and that the family is the basic foundation of Philippine society.  In an article entitled “Trump has dumped the World Health Organization.  Hurrah!”, Ms. Kimberley pointed out that President Trump has been very consistent in his attitude towards WHO.  During his first term, he defunded the WHO.  He has done the same thing in his second term, this time instigated by the WHO’s mismanagement of the COVID-19 pandemic and by the possibility of a WHO pandemic treaty that critics say could essentially handcuff governments around the world in the event of a global “emergency.” 

            Consider, however, that the very first statement about human values made by President Trump is that the U.S. Government recognizes only two sexes, i.e. male and female, strongly condemning the woke culture that spread like a social cancer during the Biden Administration.  One could easily agree with Ms. Kimberly that “the same old rotten reasons to abandon the WHO are still around and are still reeking like sewage from a deep, dark pit.”  These are harsh words but I can sympathize with the author.  It is scandalous how WHO has prostituted the definition of public health. I have a very high regard for public health officials because my late father, Dr. Jose A. Villegas, spent all of his professional life in the service of the Department of Public Health over at least six Administrations.  He was Regional Health Director of at least five regions, having been a leading figure in the eradication of malaria in practically all regions of the Philippines.  My father could never have imagined that an international institution committed to public health would be an avid supporter of “sexual rights” for children and comprehensive sexuality education, which is based on the concept that children have “sexual rights” that must be upheld and protected.

            As Ms. Ells wrote comprehensive sexuality education programs teach children to seek out sexual information, question their parents’ moral teaching, and engage in sexual arousing behavior from a very early age.   They also de-emphasize the need for love and commitment in sexual relationships and frame abortion as a human right (diametrically opposed to the Philippine Constitution which mandates the State to protect the unborn from the moment of conception).  To be clear, this so-called sexuality education is not limited to teaching children about the biological logistics of sex and to avoid sexual diseases.  It is all about full scale promotion of all kinds of sex (including masturbation at an early age).

            The WHO’s name and logo appears on the front cover of UNESCO’s “International Technical Guidance on Sexuality Education” published in January 2018.  This document—posted on the WHO website—is laced with references to childhood sexuality, including the following statements:

            -Young people want and need sexuality and sexual health information as early and comprehensively as possible.

            -Children should have “agency in their own sexual practices and relationships.”

            -Comprehensive Sexuality Education can “help children—form respectful and healthy relationships with—sexual partners.

            The 2009 version of UNESCO’s “International Guidelines on Sexuality Education,” which  was officially endorsed by the WHO was intended to guide comprehensive sexuality education programs in schools globally.  Just imagine the consternation of Filipino parents and educators when they read the following, which are supposed to be part of the “international standards” alluded to by Senate Bill No. 1979!:

            Learning objectives for Level 1 (ages 5 to 8)

            -“Girls and boys have private body parts that can feel pleasurable when touched by oneself.

            -“Touching and rubbing one’s genitals is called masturbation.”

            -“Masturbation is not harmful, but should be done in private.”

            -“All people- regardless of their health status, religion, origin, race or sexual status can raise a child and give it the love it deserves.”

            Learning objectives for Level II (ages 9 to 12)

            -“Relationship between excitement and vaginal lubrication, penile erection and ejaculation.”

            -“Many boys and girls begin to masturbate during poverty.”

            -“Steps for proper use of condoms.”

            -“Definition and function of orgasm.”

            -“Legal abortion  performed under sterile conditions by medically trained personnel is safe.”

            Learning objectives for Level III (ages 12 to 15)

            -“Respect for the different sexual orientations and gender identity.”

            -“Definition, reasons for, and legality of abortion.”  (This is the most abhorrent to Filipino culture since abortion is unconstitutional in the Philippines).

            -“Health risks associated respectively with safe and legal abortion, and with illegal and unsafe abortion.

            “Definition and description  of the physical changes and stages of male and female human sexual response including orgasm.”

            “Sexual behaviors including kissing, touching, talking, caressing, oral intercourse and penetration.”

            Another “partner in crime”,  of WHO is the notorious International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), a global abortion promoter and advocate for sexual rights for children.  The two have agreed to implement a wide range of projects for years.  An IPPF document contains the following statements:

-“Young people are sexual beings…It is important for all young people around the world to be able to explore, experience and express their sexualities in healthy positive, pleasurable and safe ways.  This can only happen when young people’s sexual rights are guaranteed.”

-“Sexuality and sexual pleasure are important parts of being human for everyone—no matter what age, no matter if you are married or not and no matter if you want to have children or not.”

-“There is a common misconception that young people are not or should not be sexual beings with the exception of certain groups, such as married young people  or young people above a certain age.  Sexuality is a central aspect of being human during all phases of each person’s life.

A final reason why we should congratulate President Trump for distancing the U.S. from WHO is that this international organization supports the decriminalizing of prostitution or “sex work.”  In fact, at DecriminalizingSex Work website,  the WHO is listed as an official supporter of the decriminalizing cause. Despite the insistence by some powerful voices that decriminalizing prostitution will result in rosy outcomes for sex workers and for society at large, that claim has been thoroughly debunked by the National Center on Sexual Exploitation.   To be continued.