Parents Welfare Act Bill: Obligado na ba talagang suportahan ang magulang?

Panukalang batas ni Sen. Ping Lacson ang Parents Welfare Act na layong panagutin ang mga anak na sadyang nagpapabaya sa kanilang matatanda at may sakit na magulang. May due process ito, exemptions, at parusa para sa matinding kapabayaan.

“Akala ba natin hindi dapat pinipilit ang anak na suportahan ang magulang?” Ito na ang pambungad na tanong ng publiko sa bagong panukalang batas ni Sen. Ping Lacson — ang Parents Welfare Act Bill — na layuning panagutin ang mga anak na sinasadyang pabayaan ang kanilang may edad, may sakit, o walang kakayahang magulang.

???? Ano ang layunin ng batas

Ayon sa panukalang batas, ito ay ginawa upang “further strengthen filial responsibility and to make it a criminal offense in case of flagrant violation thereof. Abandonment of a parent in need of support shall likewise constitute a criminal act” Layunin nitong labanan ang mga kaso ng magulang na naiiwan na walang kakayahan, lalo na sa mga batang may kakayahang tumulong.

⚖️ Ano ang nakasaad dito

1. Tatlong buwang walang suporta

“If the respondent fails to give support for three consecutive months without justifiable cause, they may face imprisonment of 1 to 6 months or pay a fine of ₱100,000.”

2. Full-on abandonment

“Whoever has the care or protection of a parent in need of support and abandons such parent will face 6 to 10 years in jail and a fine of ₱300,000.” ???? Paano ito ipatutupad

Maaaring magsampa ang magulang ng “petition for support” sa korte
Libre ang legal representation kay magulang mula sa Public Attorney’s Office
May conciliation process bago wakasan ang kaso sa korte
Kung ang anak ay may kakayahan ngunit pinabayaan, maaari silang kasuhan

✅ Sino ang exempt?

Hindi awtomatikong kasali ang lahat:

Kung walang kakayahang pinansyal
Kung may matibay na justifiable cause (hal. iniwan ka mismo ng magulang na bata ka pa o may kasaysayan ng abusado)
Kung may ebidensiyang nagpapatunay na hindi intensyonal ang kapabayaan

???? Paninindigan ng Batas

Hindi ito simpleng utos para sa buwan-buwanang padala. Ito ay laban sa sadyang pag-abandona, nang walang dahilan sa isang magulang na hindi na makapagsaril. Handa rin itong tanggapin na hindi lahat ng pamilya ay magkakapareho ang sitwasyon — mayroon pa ring proseso at pagsusuri bago maparusahan ang sinuman.

???? Alamin ang iyong saloobin

Proteksyon ba ito o pakikialam na ng gobyerno sa pamilya?
May valid concerns na tungkol sa kakayahan ng anak, sa personal na kasaysayan ng pamilya, at ang tungkulin ng estado sa personal na desisyon ng pamilya.

Anong paniniwala mo?

Author’s Note:
Ito ay pang-research at pambigay-kaalaman sa publiko. Bago ang anumang legal na aksyon, mabuting kumonsulta sa abugado o sa Public Attorney’s Office para sa mas personal na gabay.

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download theAsianparent Community on iOS or Android now!

Written by

Hazel Paras-Cariño

Become a Contributor

EnglishSupport for ParentsParents Welfare ActPing Lacson billFilipino family lawabandonment lawchild responsibilityelder carelegal obligationsSenate bills Philippinesfamily responsibility act

Hazel Paras-Cariño

Hi, I’m Hazel Paras-Cariño—Head of Content at theAsianparent Philippines, proud mom of two, and passionate storyteller at heart. With over 11 years of experience in content strategy, digital marketing, and editorial leadership, I now lead our content across web, app, and social platforms to serve one of the most important audiences out there: Filipino parents. Whether it's creating informative articles, engaging mobile experiences, or meaningful social conversations, I believe content should connect with both data and heart.

Before this role, I worked as App Marketing Manager and Web Content Editor at theAsianparent, and previously contributed to NGOs, tech, and creative industries. I hold a Master’s degree in Integrated Marketing Communication, but my real education comes from balancing deadlines, diapers, and the daily chaos of motherhood. When I’m off-duty, you’ll find me painting, dancing, or exploring imaginative stories with my kids—sometimes all at once.

Let’s keep creating content that informs, empowers, and uplifts families.