PETITIONERS yesterday withdrew their case against the sex education curriculum in elementary and high school pending a review of the scheme by Education Secretary Armin A. Luistro.
In a court hearing yesterday, 24 petitioners, who claimed to be parents, withdrew their case from Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 88 that sought a preliminary injunction to stop the Department of Education (DepEd) from integrating sex education to the curriculum.
Jo Aurea M. Imbong, one of the petitioners, said their decision will give Mr. Luistro “time and space” to review the scheme initiated by former Education secretary Mona D. Valisno.
Ms. Valisno and Ramon C. Bacani, former Education undersecretary, were named respondents in the petition.
“[Former] secretary Valisno is no longer with DepEd, [while] we cannot substitute Mr. Luistro [since] he has no clear stand yet on the [sex education] issue,” Ms. Imbong said by phone.
Last June 28, Judge Rosanna Fe Romero-Maglaya denied a petition for a temporary restraining order (TRO) against DepEd Memorandum 261, Series of 2005, which directed the integration of sex education in the curricula of Grades 5 an 6 and all high school levels.
The memorandum would allegedly start a program to be funded by United Nations Population Fund, which adopted the definition of International Conference on Population and Development Program of Action in reproductive health that includes the right of people “to have a satisfying and safe sex life.”
The court said the petition for TRO was “not justified” since the parents “were not able to show that their children… are students of the schools” where the program would be pilot-tested.
The program has been pilot-tested in 80 public elementary and 79 public high schools nationwide.
In a separate interview, Kenneth C. Tirado, DepEd communications group head, said the evaluation report of the pilot testing is “under study” by Mr. Luistro.
“[After reviewing], he [Mr. Luistro] might invite parties concerned — those in favor and from the opposition — to hear their sides,” Mr. Tirado said in Filipino.
The Catholic Church has been at the forefront of the campaign against including sex education in the school curricula. — Prinz P. Magtulis, Businessworld
July 2025
Nutrition Month
“Give us much more than P50 increase
for proper nutrition!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO Constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar
to carry out the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry recommendations
against serious violations of
Forced Labour and Freedom of Association protocols.
Accept National Unity Government (NUG)
of Myanmar. Reject Military!
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July
3 July – International Day of Cooperatives
3 July – International Plastic Bag Free Day
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7 July – Global Forgiveness Day
11 July – World Population Day
17 July – World Day for International Justice
28 July – World Nature Conservation Day
30 July – World Day against Trafficking in Persons
Monthly Observances:
Schools Safety Month
Nutrition Month
National Disaster Consciousness Month
Weekly Observances:
Week 2: Cultural Communities Week
Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise
Development Week
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Technology Week
National Disability Prevention and
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July 1-7:
National Culture Consciousness Week
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Philippines Business Week
Week ending last Saturday of July:
Arbor Week
Daily Observances:
First Saturday of July:
International Cooperative Day
in the Philippines
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