FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
i 0 JUl -8 1\8:57 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 893 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The care and guidance of the parents are essential elements of a virtuous 
upbringing of a child. The parents serve as the role model for their children 
especially during their formative years. This certain bond between them make up 
the relationship we call "family". 
Article XV, Section 3 (2) of the Constitution provides that: 
'The State shall defend the right of children to aSSistance, including 
proper care and nutrition, and special protection from all forms of neglect, 
abuse, cruelty, exploitation, and other conditions prejudicial to their 
development. " 
The parents are principally responsible in making this goal a reality. On the 
other hand, the increasing number of neglected and abused children is very 
evident nowadays. They can be seen in the streets, begging for alms, barely 
existing with the sustenance they get as they come day by day, enduring physical 
and moral indifference, and are often subjected to abuse by the very symbols of 
protection and security such as the authorities and the elders. 
With due respect to the rights of the children, this bill seeks to strengthen 
the penal provisions with the cases of neglected and abused children. 
For these reasons, the passage of this bill is earnestly recommended. 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
'. D JUL -8 1\8 :51 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 893 
, 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
STRENGTHENING 
THE 
PENAL 
PROVISIONS 
WITH 
RESPECT 
TO 
DELINQUENT PARENTS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE ARTICLE 276, 277, 
AND 278 OF THE REVISED PENAL CODE, AS AMENDED. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Article 276 of the Revised Penal Code, as amended is hereby 
further amended to read as follows: 
, 
"Article 276. Abandoning a Minor. The penalty of arresto mayor and 
a fine of at least ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00) but not more that fifteen 
thousand pesos (P15,000.00) shall be imposed to anyone who shall 
abandon [a child under seven years of agel AN UNEMANCIPATED 
MINOR, the custody of which in incumbent upon him. 
"THE PENAL TV OF PRISON CORRECTION IN ITS MINIMUM 
PERIOD AND A FINE OF ATLEAST FIFTEEN THOUSAND PESOS 
(P15,000.00) BUT NOT MORE THAN 
TWENTY THOUSAND PESOS 
(20,000.00) SHALL BE IMPOSED ON THE CULPRIT IF HE IS THE 
PARENT OF THE UNEMANCIPATED MINOR. 
'When the death of the UNEMANCIPATED minor shall result from 
the abandonment, the culprit shall be punished by prison correctional in its 
medium and maximum periods [:l IF THE CULPRIT BE THE PARENT OF 
THE 
DECEASED, 
HE 
SHALL 
BE 
PUNISHED 
BY 
PRISON 
CORRECTIONAL IN ITS MEDIUM PERIOD TO PRISON MA YOR IN ITS 
MINIMUM PERIOD [:l [butl BUT if the life of the UNEMANTICIPATED 
minor shall have been in danger only, the penalty shall, be prison 
correctional in its minimum and medium periods. IN THE LATTER CASE, IF 
THE CULPRINT BE THE PARENT OF THE UNEMANTICIPATED MINOR, 
HE SHALL BE PUNISHED BY PRISON CORRECTIONAL IN ITS 
MINIMUM AND MEDIUM PERIODS. 
"IN ADDITION, THE PARENTS OF THE UNEMANTICIPATED 
MINOR SHALL BE DEPRIVED OF THEIR PARENTAL AUTHORITY, 
HEREDITARY RIGHTS AND CUSTODY OF THE UNEMANTICIPATED 
CHILD. 


"The provisions contained in the [two preceding paragraphs] THIS 
ARTICLE shall not prevent the imposition of the penalty provided for the act 
committed, when the same shall constitute a more serious offense." 
SEC. 2. Article 227 of the Revised Penal Code, as amended is hereby 
further amended to read as follows: 
"Arl 227. Abandonment of minor by person entrusted with his 
custody; indifference of parents. - The penalty of arresto mayor and a fine 
of atleast ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00) but not 
more than fifteen 
thousand pesos (P15,000) shall be imposed upon anyone who, having 
charge of the rearing education of [a] AN UNEMANTICIPATED minor, shall 
delivered said minor to a public institution or other persons, without the 
consent of the one who entrusted such child to his care or, in the absence 
of the later, without the consent of the proper authorities. 
"The same penalty shall be imposed upon the parents who shall 
neglect their children of SCHOOL AGE by not giving them the 
COMPULSORY ELEMENTARY education which [their station in life] THE 
CONSTITUTION requires [and financing condition permits]." 
SEC. 3. There shall be incorporated after Article 278 (5) of the same Code 
a new paragraph (6) to read as follows: 
"6. 
ANY PARENT WHO SHALL GIVE HIS UNEMANTICIPATED 
CHILD CORRUPTING ORDERS, COUNSELS OR EXAMPLE SHALL BE 
PUNISHED BY ARRESTO MA YOR IN ITS MAXIMUM PERIOD AND A 
FINE OF ATLEAST TEN THOUSAND PESOS (P10,000.00) BUT NOT 
MORE THAN FIFTEEN THOUSAND PESOS (15,000.00) THIS SHALL 
INCLUDE CASESS WHICH HAVE RESULTED FROM CULPABLE 
NEGLIGENCE OF THE PARENT. 
"IN 
THE 
CASE 
OF 
THE 
PARAGRAPH 
IMMEDIATELY 
PRECEDING, THE DELINQUENT PARENT SHALL, IN ADDITION TO THE 
PENALTY THAT WILL IMPOSED UPON HIM, LOSE PARENTAL 
AUTHORITY, HEREDITARY RIGHTS AND CUSTODY OF THE CHILD." 
SEC. 4. This Act shall take effect fifteen days(15) days after its publication 
in at least two (2) newspaper of general circulation. 
Approved,