FOURTEENTHCONGRESS 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
OF THE REPUBLIC) 
) 
1 
SENATE 
S. No. 
281 
~ 
Introduced by Senator Richard J. Gordon 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
It is the primary responsibility of the State to promote the best interests of 
children and protect their well-being. The payment of child support should be an 
important priority of the State. Unpaid child support is something that the State 
should not tolerate, for this threatens the health, education and survival of our 
children. 
The acts punished in Republic Act No. 7610, as amended, otherwise known 
as the Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and 
Discrimination Act, and Presidential Decree No. 603, as amended, otherwise known 
as the Child and Youth Welfare Code, do not include the willful failure to pay child 
support. 
The State must protect and defend the right of children to child support, 
Parents must likewise be responsible for their children. A law punishing the willful 
failure to pay child support must therefore be enacted. 
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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
1 
SENATE 
S. No. 
281 
Introduced by Senator Richard J. Gordon 
AN ACT PUNISHING THE WILLFUL FAILURE TO PAY CHILD SUPPORT 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assemb/ed: 
SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to promote 
the best interests of children and to protect and defend the right of children to child 
support. 
Sec. 2. Definition of Child Support. - For purposes of this Act, child support 
refers to any amount determined by a court in a judgment, decree, or order to be due 
from a person for the support and maintenance of a child. It includes a permanent or 
temporary order and an initial order or a modification of an order for child support. 
Sec. 3. Willful Failure to Pay Child Support -Any person who willfully fails 
to pay child support, if such an obligation has remained unpaid for at least one (1) 
year or has an outstanding amount due of fifty thousand pesos (PhP50,OOO) or more, 
shall be punished by prision correctional under the Revised Penal Code. 
Sec. 4. Presumption. - The existence of a child support obligation that has 
remained unpaid for at least one (1) year or has an outstanding amount due of fifty 
thousand pesos (PhP50,OOO) or more, in spite of demand, as alleged in the 
Complaint or Information creates a disputable presumption that the person has 
willfully failed to pay child support. 
Sec. 5. Probation. - Should the parent avail of probation after conviction and 
sentence under this Act, the probationer shall meet his or her family responsibilities 
and pay child support as part of the condition for probation. 


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Sec. 6. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
executive order, letter of instruction, rule or regulation inconsistent with the 
provisions of this Act is hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
Sec. 7. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is 
declared unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provisions not affected 
thereby shall remain in force and effect. 
Sec. 8. Effectivity Clause. -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from 
the date of its publication in at least one (1) newspaper of general circulation. 
Approved,