It is the call of Congress whether or not to increase the age of minority for statutory rape in the country amid the rising number of cases of teenage pregnancy.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque made the statement after the Commission on Population (POPCOM) said that at least 40 to 50 children aged 10 to 14 give birth every week.
In his press briefing, Roque said that President Duterte will respect it if Congress will decide to increase the age of minority for statutory rape in the country to 16 years old from 12--the lowest in Southeast Asia.
"Ang Presidente naman po, bilang abogado, nirerespeto ang hurisdiksyon at kapangyarihan ng Kongreso na bumuo ng polisiya sa pamamagitan ng batas (The President, as a lawyer, will respect the jurisdiction and power of Congress to create policies through laws)," he said.
"Kung sa tingin po ng Kongreso na ang tamang polisiya ay itaas sa 16 ang age of minority for statutory rape purposes, rerespetuhin po 'yan ng gobyerno (If Congress thinks that it is right to increase to 16 years old the age of minority for statutory rape purposes, then the government will respect that)," he added.
Last month, the House Committees on Revision of Laws and Welfare of Children approved the bill seeking to raise the age of sexual consent in the Philippines to 16 years old.
Sex education
Meanwhile, Roque called on parents and the academe to improve their capability in properly educating children about sex to prevent early or unwanted pregnancy.
"Nananawagan po tayo sa mga magulang, kinakailangan po talagang gabayan ang ating mga kabataan (We call on parents to guide their children)," he said.
"Ang ating mga eskwelahan, alam ko po na sa mga public schools eh nagbibigay naman po sila ng sex education, paigtingin pa po natin 'yan kasama ng health education (Our schools---although I know our public schools give sex education but we should intensify it along with health education)," he added.
The Palace official likewise sought the help of the Church in guiding the youth.
"Kinakailangan po na pati ang simbahan, kinakailangan po talaga eh mas maging aktibo sa pagbibigay pangaral sa ating mga kabataan (Even the Church, it is important that they be active in giving sermon to the youth)," he said.
Citing Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), POPCOM executive director Juan Antonio Perez III said that 2,250 children aged 10-14 years old gave birth in 2018, more than twice the 1,000 recorded in 2007. He added that an average of 64,000 minors gives birth every year.