SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
Senate Bili No. 974\ 
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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 shafl defend the right of children to assistance, including 
proper care and nutrition, and special protection from afl 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. 
JI 
Senator 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF TH.E PHILIPPINES. 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 9 Ii 4 
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,OOO.00) but 
not more that fifteen thousand pesos (P15,OOO.00) shall be 
imposed to anyone who shall abandon [a child under seven years 
of age] AN UNEMANCIPATED MINOR, the custody of which in 
incumbent upon him. 
"THE PENALTY OF PRISON CORRECTION IN ITS 
MINIMUM PERIOD AND A FINE OF ATLEAST FIFTEEN 
THOUSAND PESOS (P15,OOO.00) BUT NOT MORE THAN 
lWENTY 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 [:] 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 [:1 [but1 
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 LADER 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: 
"Art 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 MAYOR 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,