Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL No. _______ 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Introduced by HONORABLE ERNESTO “ERNIX” M. DIONISIO, JR. 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
AN ACT 
INCREASING THE PENALTY FOR ECONOMIC ABUSE RELATING TO 
NEGLECTING SPOUSAL AND CHILD SUPPORT, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
There is a continuing need for the State to provide protection to women and 
children against errant spouses who unjustifiably refuse to provide support to their 
families.   
Section 3(2), Article XV of the 1987 Constitution states: “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. “ 
In line with this, this bill seeks to introduce measures designed to make the 
mechanism for the demand of support less strenuous. Likewise, this bill seeks to 
provide a harsher punishment for economic abuse, to further deter spouses or fathers 
from withholding their support.  
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is highly sought.  
October 7, 2022
4:44 pm
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Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL No. _______ 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Introduced by HONORABLE ERNESTO “ERNIX” M. DIONISIO, JR. 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
AN ACT 
INCREASING THE PENALTY FOR ECONOMIC ABUSE RELATING TO 
NEGLECTING SPOUSAL AND CHILD SUPPORT, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Republic of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. - Pursuant to Article 15, Section 1 of the 
1987 Constitution, it is the declared policy of the State to promote the family as the 
foundation of the nation, strengthen its solidarity, and ensure its total development. 
Article 15, Section 3 (2) of the 1987 Constitution further mandates the State to 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. Article 70 of the Family Code provides that the 
spouses are jointly responsible for the support of the family, which comprises 
everything indispensable for sustenance, dwelling, clothing, medical attendance, 
education, and transportation, in keeping with the financial capacity of the family. 
Towards this end, the State shall institutionalize mechanisms and provide necessary 
assistance to protect and enforce the rights of spouses and children to receive, among 
others, financial support. 
SECTION 2. Coverage - This Act is limited to the legal obligation to provide 
financial support for spouses and/or children and does not include the provision 
involving financial support for other entitled persons as provided in the Family Code. 
SECTION 3. Spouse and/or Child's Right to Support. – In accordance with 
the Family Code, spouses and children shall continuously receive support, which is 
indispensable for their sustenance, dwelling, clothing, medical attendance, education 
and transportation, in keeping with the financial capacity of the family. The education 
of the person entitled to be supported shall include his or her schooling or training for 
profession, trade, or vocation. Transportation shall include expenses in going to and 
from school, or to and from place of work: Provided, That child support shall be given 
even beyond the age of majority, depending on the needs of the child and in keeping 
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with the financial capacity of the person legally obligated to provide the same: Provided 
Further, That in all cases, the best interest of the child shall be considered when 
agreeing on or determining the terms of the support, which includes the amount that 
should be provided. 
 
SECTION 4. Increase of Penalty for Refusal to Provide Spousal and/or 
Child Support – Unjustifiable refusal to provide spousal and/or Child Support shall 
constitute economic abuse, which is punishable under Section 5(e) of RA 9262 (An 
Act Defining Violence Against Women And Their Children, Providing For Protective 
Measures For Victims, Prescribing Penalties Therefore, and For Other Purposes). 
Furthermore, the penalty therefore shall be increased to prision mayor. Section 6(c) 
shall now read, as follows: 
 
SECTION 6. Penalties. The crime of violence against women and their 
children, under Section 5 hereof shall be punished according to the 
following rules: 
 
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(c) Acts falling under Section 5(e) shall be punished by prision mayor; 
 
SECTION 5. Appropriations. – The amount necessary for the proper and full 
implementation of the provisions of this Act shall be incorporated in the annual General 
Appropriations Act. 
 
SECTION 6. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part of this Act shall be 
declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected shall 
remain in full force and effect. 
 
SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, 
issuances, rules and regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of 
this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
 
SECTION 8. Effectivity 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,