Senator Ping Lacson corrected several misconceptions and insinuations raised by some sectors about Senate Bill 396, the proposed “Parents Welfare Act of 2025.”
Lacson said his bill, which aims to ensure parents get support from their children in their time of need, does not include parents who have abused, hurt, or neglected their children.
“Under the proposed measure, walang obligasyon ang anak na magsuporta sa magulang na nang-abuso, nag-abandon at nagpabaya sa kanya.”
“Abuse, abandonment or neglect by parents of their children are exempting circumstances. Under the proposed measure, walang obligasyon ang anak na magsuporta sa magulang na nang-abuso, nag-abandon at nagpabaya sa kanya,” the veteran legislator said.
The bill seeks support for parents who are senior citizens, sickly, or who regardless of age are permanently incapacitated or not capable of supporting themselves.
But the seasoned lawmaker noted that under Sec. 16 of the bill, if the court determines after due notice and hearing that the parent in need of support had abandoned, abused or neglected the child, it may dismiss the petition or reduce the quantum of support.
“Children who have no financial capability to support their parents are not obliged to do so.”
The bill also pointed out that children who have no financial capability to support their parents are not obliged to do so.
Besides, the senator said Art. 195 of the Family Code stresses the legal obligation of each member of the family to support each other.
He added his bill takes into account as well other laws, such as RA 9262 o Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC) Law, that protect children, spouses and parents from abuse.
Also, Lacson pointed out that the bill does not mean the government is passing the burden of supporting elderly parents to the children.
He pointed out the bill provides for an “Old Age Home” for the elderly, sick or otherwise incapacitated parents in every province and highly urbanized city. Each home shall accommodate at least 50 parents.
“(Taking care of the elderly members of society) is a shared responsibility of the government and the children of said elderly. The care for the aged is neither an exclusively private matter to be left to the family nor an exclusively public concern best left to the government,” Lacson concluded.
