Latest news with #ParentsWelfareActof2025
Filipino Times
21 hours ago
- Politics
- Filipino Times
Palace cites gov't programs for elderly amid push to penalize neglectful children
Malacañang urged the public to take note of existing government programs for senior citizens amid renewed discussions on the welfare of the elderly and a proposed Senate measure seeking to penalize children who abandon their aging parents. In a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. continues to prioritize elderly Filipinos as part of the country's vulnerable sectors. 'Marami tayong mga programa para sa kanila. May discount sila sa MRT at LRT, at tinuturing silang priority sa tulong,' Castro said. The statement comes after Senator Panfilo 'Ping' Lacson refiled the 'Parents Welfare Act of 2025,' which aims to impose penalties on individuals who fail to provide support to their elderly, sick, or incapacitated parents. If passed into law, children who abandon their parents may face imprisonment of six to ten years and a fine of not less than P300,000. Asked about the Palace's position on the measure, Castro said the Family Code already mandates mutual support between children and parents, citing Article 194. 'May obligasyon ang anak na suportahan ang magulang, at ang magulang sa anak. Nasa batas na 'yan,' she explained. Castro added that a thorough review of the bill is necessary to determine the validity of criminalizing children who neglect their parents.
GMA Network
4 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
Senate bill seeks to penalize children who abandon elderly parents
Senator Ping Lacson has refiled a measure seeking to penalize children who fail to provide necessary support for their aging, sick, and incapacitated parents. In the explanatory note of Senate Bill No. 396 or the proposed "Parents Welfare Act of 2025," Lacson stressed that taking care of the elderly members of society is a shared responsibility of the children and the government. 'This proposed bill therefore seeks to 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,' the returning senator said. Under the proposed measure, parents in need of support who are unable to maintain themselves from their own earning or out of the property they owned, or who are incapacitated or incapable of supporting themselves, shall be given support by their children. If the parent concerned has several children, the support to be given shall be divided among them in proportion to their resources or financial capacity and in such manner as may be just and equitable. Grandchildren shall also be liable to support their ascendants if their parents cannot fulfill their duty to support due to death, illness or if they are unable to fully take care of themselves due to physical or mental disability or condition. The children shall have the option to fulfill the obligation either by paying the support fixed by a 'support order' or by receiving and maintaining in the family house of the parent concerned. Such a petition for support may be filed in the regional trial court with territorial jurisdiction over the place of residence of the petitioner. 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. Before hearing the petition, the court shall also refer the parties to a conciliation officer for mediation to preserve the family unity and peace. If the children so ordered fail to comply with the support order without sufficient cause or reason, the court may issue a warrant for levying the amount due for every breach of order. If the respondent fails to give support for three consecutive months without justifiable cause, the respondent shall face imprisonment of one to six months or a fine of P100,000. Whoever has the care or protection of a parent in need of support and abandons such parent will also face six to 10 years in jail and a fine of P300,000. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
