EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. B. No.
56
/J) TIME:
BILLS
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid
AN ACT
AFFORDING STATUS TO A DESERTED OR ABANDONED CHILD WITH
UNKNOWN PARENTS
EXPLANATORY NOTE
"The apple doesn't fall far from the tree." This oft-quoted adage likewise finds 
great relevance on matters relating to the status, condition and legal capacity of a 
child as these are heavily dependent on the parents. The fact of a child's legitimacy, 
citizenship and the manner by which the child may conduct himself in society are 
dictated to the most extent by the status of the child's parents. A child of married 
parents is legitimate while those born out of wedlock are illegitimate. Children of 
Filipino parents are natural citizens of the Philippines. These matters may readily be 
discerned not only because there are laws governing the same, but also most 
importantly, the identities of the parents are established.
But how about infants left to be found in the doors of churches and trash cans, 
which have been common nowadays7 It has been unfair for them to be left to fend 
for themselves at a very young age and worse, much of the opportunities related with 
status may not be available to them. In fact, with the current legal framework, 
foundlings remain to be non-citizens or stateless unless they undergo naturalization 
proceedings. Their legitimacy or illegitimacy remains in limbo unless they are adopted 
in accordance with law. The net effect of this is that a whole array of rights and 
entitlements under our Civil Code, Family Code and other relevant laws is unavailable 
to foundlings just because their nationality and legitimacy remain undetermined.
This measure seeks to fill in the gap in our laws and correct the inequities that 
beset foundlings in the aspect of status, condition and legal capacity.


Early passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
M.LAPID
Senator


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE 
S. No. 
5 6
BILLS
Introduced by Senator Manuel “ L ito ” M. Lapid
AN ACT
AFFORDING STATUS TO A DESERTED OR ABANDONED CHILD WITH
UNKNOWN PARENTS
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Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled:
Section 1. This Act shall be known as the "Foundling Recognition Act".
Section 2. For purposes of this Act, a foundling shall be a deserted or abandoned 
child or infant where the identities of both parents are unknown. The founder shall be a 
person of legal age who discovered the deserted or abandoned child. Status shall refer 
to the relationship of the child with the community including but not limited to legitimacy 
and citizenship.
Section 3. For all legal intents and purposes, a foundling shall be recognized 
as the legitimate child of the founder from the time of his birth, provided that the foundling 
has lived and depended with the founder until the foundling 
reaches the age of 
majority; and provided further that the founder and the foundling have conducted as 
and made known themselves to be parent and child in their community. If the founder is 
married at the time the foundling was discovered, the foundling shall be considered the 
legitimate child of the founder and his spouse.
Section 4. The Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of 
Justice and the Philippine Statistics Authority are hereby directed to promulgate the 
necessary rules and regulations for the efficient implementation of this Act


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Section 5. S eparability Clause. If any provision or part of this Act is declared 
invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions that are not affected thereby shall continue to 
be in full force and effect.
Section 6. Repealing Clause. All laws, orders, rules and regulations, or parts 
thereof that are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby modified or 
repealed accordingly.
Section 7. E ffectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved.