Measure filed penalizing children who abandon parents

MANILA, Philippines — Children who abandon their aging, sick and incapacitated parents may soon face imprisonment.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson has revived the measure he filed in the 17th Congress, seeking immediate passage of a law penalizing children who abandon their old and sick parents.

Senate Bill No. 29 or the Parents Welfare Act of 2019 requires children to support their aging, sick and incapacitated parents.

Lacson said the measure seeks to further strengthen filial responsibility and make non-compliance a criminal offense.

“A parent who is in need of support may file a petition for support before the court and pray for the issuance of a support order against those children who failed or refused to provide the necessary support,” the bill stated.

The legal representation of the parent in need of support will be provided by the Public Attorney’s Office and no court fees will be assessed, it added.

Under the bill, the penalty is imprisonment of one to six months or a fine of P100,000 if the respondent fails to give support for three consecutive months without justifiable cause.

 “Whoever, having the care or protection of a parent in need of support, leaves such parent in any place with the intention of wholly abandoning the latter shall be punished with imprisonment of six years to 10 years and a fine of not less than P300,000,” Lacson said.