1 ’  
THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
First Regular Session 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
.32 :-qo :9 I 
A 
S E N A T E  
Introduced by Senator 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 at 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 authority and the eiders. 
With due respect to the rights of the children, this bill seeks to strengthen the 
It intends to minimize and 
penal provisions with respect to delinquent parents. 
eventually eliminate the cases of neglected and abused children. 
For these reasons, the passage of this bill is earnestly recommended. 
IT0 ESTRADA 
Senator 


.-. 
P 
THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
1 
I. 
I.V. 
Introduced by Senator JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
STRENGTHENING THE PENAL PROVISIONS WITH RESPECT TO DELINQUENT 
PARENTS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE ARTICLES 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: 
“Art. 276. Abandoning a minor. - The penalty of arrest0 mayor and a 
fine of at least ten thousand pesos (PlO,OOO.OO) but not more than fifteen 
thousand pesos (P15,OOO.OO) shall be imposed to anyone who shall abandon [a 
child under seven years of age] AN UNEMANCIPATED MINOR, the custody of 
which is incumbent upon him. 
“THE PENALTY OF PRISON CORRECTIONAL IN ITS MINIMUM 
PERIOD AND A FINE OF AT LEAST FIFTEEN THOUSAND PESOS 
(P15,OOO.OO) BUT NOT MORE THAN TVVENTY THOUSAND PESOS 
(P20,OOO.OO) SHALL BE IMPOSED ON TH 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 prision correctional in its medium 
and maximum periods [;I. IF THE CULPRIT BE THE PARENT OF THE 
DECEASED, HE SHALL BE PUNISHED BY PRISON CORRECTlONAL IN ITS 
MEDIUM PERIOD TO PRlSlON MAYOR IN ITS MINIMUM PERIOD [;I. [but] 
BUT if the life of the UNEMANCIPATED minor shall have been in danger only, 
the penalty shall be prision correctional in its minimum and medium periods. IN 


THE LATTER CASE, IT THE CULPRIT BE THE PARENT OF THE 
UNEMANCIPATED MINOR, HE SHALL BE PUNISHED BY PRlSlON 
CORRECTlONAL IN ITS MINIMUM AND MEDIUM PERIODS. 
“IN ADDITION, THE PARENTS OF THE UNEMANCIPATED MINOR 
SHALL DEPRIVED OF THEIR PARENTAL AUTHORITY, HEREDITARY 
RIGHTS AND CUSTODY OF THE UNEMANCIPATED 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.” 
SECTION 2. Article 277 of the Revised Penal Code, as amended, is hereby 
further amended to read as follows: 
“Art. 277. Abandonment of minor by person entrusted with his 
custody; indifference ofparenfs. - The penalty of arresfo mayor and a fine of 
at least ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00) but not more than fifteen thousand 
pesos (P15,OOO.OO) shall be imposed upon anyone who, having charge of the 
rearing or education of [a] AN UNEMANCIPATED minor, shall deliver 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.]” 
SECTION 3. There shall be iqcorporated after Article 278 (5) of the same Code 
a new paragraph (6) to read as follows: 
“6. ANY PARENT WHO SHALL GIVE HIS UNEMANCIPATED CHILD 
CORRUPTING ORDERS, COUNSELS OR EXAMPLE SHALL BE PUNISHED 
BY ARREST0 MAYOR IN ITS MAXIMUM PERIOD AND A FINE OF LEAST 
TEN THOUSAND PESOS (PlO,OOO.OO) BUT NOT MORE THAN FIFTEEN 
THOUSAND PESOS (PI 5,000.00). THIS SHALL INCLUDE CASES WHICH 
HAVE RESULTED FROM CULPABLE NEGLIGENCE OF THE PARENT. 
“IN THE CASE OF THE PARAGRAPH IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING, THE 
DELIQUENT PARENT SHALL, IN ADDITIN TO THE PENALTY THAT WILL 
IMPOSED UPON HIM, LOSE PARENTAL AUTHORITY, HEREDITARY RIGHTS 
AND CUSTODY OF THE CHILD.” 


SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in 
least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,