Aiza, Tito trade barbs on condom distribution in schools

MANILA, Philippines - National Youth Commission (NYC) chair Aiza Seguerra and Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III traded barbs yesterday over Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial’s proposal to distribute condoms in schools to prevent the spread of HIV among young people.

Seguerra defended Ubial amid Sotto’s tirades and reminded the senator of the rising cases of HIV/AIDS and teenage pregnancy in the country. 

“As a government, it is our responsibility to protect our constituents. The (implementation of the Reproductive Health Law) has long been delayed because of your ‘beliefs’ and look where it has brought us,” Seguerra said in a Facebook post.

“It is precisely because of this ‘sentiment of a conservative culture’ (cited by Sotto that) we have rising cases of HIV,” she added. 

Seguerra said damage had been brought upon the people because of decisions made based on beliefs and not hard evidence.

“Would you rather see people dying of HIV/AIDS as long as your sensibilities are not being offended? Now, who is imposing beliefs on the majority?” she added. 

Sotto, in turn, called Seguerra “ignorant” of the issue of HIV with her statements against him and the other people opposing the distribution of condoms in public high schools.

“I do not know where they get their (statistics) but the rise in HIV (cases) has never been attributed to sexual contact between students. The lead reason up to now is MSM (men having sex with men). I’d rather believe the former secretary of health (Janette Garin) than fledgling politicians (like Seguerra),” Sotto said.

Sotto quoted Garin as saying the implementation of the RH Law suffered because the Department of Health’s budget had been spent for personnel-related items and meetings.

He said Garin also informed him that there is no country that distributes condoms to high school students.

“Besides, for their information, the HIV virus is smaller than the pores of condoms which can only prevent pregnancy. Scientifically proven,” Sotto said.

Sotto said that he does not hold any grudge against Seguerra but said that “she probably has forgotten where she came from.”

“Her being a fledgling politician prevailed upon her,” the senator said.

Seguerra rose to fame in the 1990s after joining the Little Miss Philippines competition of noontime show Eat Bulaga!, which counts Sotto as among its pioneers.

The former child star and singer was appointed by President Duterte to the NYC last year.  – With Mayen Jaymalin