Senator Panfilo Lacson has once again pushed for legislation that would criminalize the abandonment or neglect of elderly, sick, or incapacitated parents by their children.
The “Parents Welfare Act of 2025,” recently refiled in the Senate, seeks to strengthen the legal duty of children to care for their aging parents. Under the measure, failure to provide necessary support could lead to criminal charges, reinforcing the idea that family responsibility should never be optional.
“Abandonment of a parent in need of support shall constitute a criminal act,” Lacson stressed, citing that despite the Filipino culture of close family ties, some elderly parents are still left to fend for themselves.
While the Family Code already outlines the duty of children to support their parents, Lacson pointed out that gaps in enforcement have led to continuing cases of neglect.
If passed, the bill would allow parents to file a case in court against children who fail or refuse to help. The Public Attorney’s Office would provide legal representation at no cost, and courts would not charge filing fees. To promote reconciliation, courts would also require mediation through a conciliation officer before proceeding with a full hearing.
The proposed law gives courts the authority to issue a support order, which would be immediately enforceable. Only the Supreme Court may halt its implementation through a temporary restraining order.
Children who unjustifiably fail to support their parents for three consecutive months may face one to six months in jail or a ₱100,000 fine. If proven to have abandoned their parents, they could be imprisoned for six to ten years and fined up to ₱300,000.
Additionally, the bill proposes the creation of “Old Age Homes” in every province and highly urbanized city to shelter and care for abandoned or incapacitated parents.
