MANILA, Philippines — A proposed bill seeking to penalize parents or irresponsible fathers who refuse to support their children’s education, food, clothing, and other basic needs has passed the House committee on the welfare of children.
House Bill 8987 (An Act Ensuring Child Support and Penalizing Parental Refusal or Neglect Thereof) is now undergoing review for funding purposes at the House appropriations committee.
“We need this law very badly because the law has to have a teeth against these irresponsible parents who consistently refuse child support, especially during critical times when these fathers leave their family behind,” Rep. Erwin Tulfo of party-list ACT-CIS said.
The House deputy majority leader thanked his House colleagues for approving the measure that he, along with fellow party-list Reps. Jocelyn Tulfo and Edvic Yap, Benguet Rep. Eric Go Yap, and Quezon City 2nd District Rep. Ralph Tulfo authored and filed in August 2023.
Jocelyn is Erwin’s sister-in-law, while Ralph is his nephew.
The House committee on appropriations, headed in an acting capacity by Marikina City 2nd District Rep. Stella Luz Quimbo, will now assess the proposed bill, to determine the funding needed to establish a Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) office that will oversee the law’s implementation.
The legislators proposed a penalty of up to six years in prison for “deadbeat” fathers who refuse to fulfill their responsibilities to their children.
It was agreed during hearings that the financial support fathers must provide will depend on their children’s needs.
The law will mandate the DSWD, in collaboration with the National Economic and Development Authority, to determine the amount that “deadbeat” fathers must provide as child support.
“This bill will help our sole parents, numbering around 15 million and serve as their tool to secure the support their children need. Mothers will no longer have to beg or plead with their ex-partners or the fathers of their children for financial support,” Tulfo said.
“Enough is enough, I would say. This has to end right now, which is why this law must be passed. What is truly unfortunate is that some of these irresponsible fathers hold government positions, while others work in the private sector,” the former broadcast journalist added.
Other authors of the bill include Reps. Paul Ruiz Daza, Patrick Michael Vargas, Paolo Duterte, Gus Tambunting, Jude Acidre, Jurdin Jesus Romualdo, Bai Dimple Mastura, Maria Rene Ann Lourdes Matibag, Noel Rivera, Wilbert Lee and Angelica Natasha Co.