THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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'llii &.IF 
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First Regular Session 
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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 public 
policy priority of the State. Unpaid child support is something that the State and our children 
should not tolerate, as this threatens the health and education of our children and the future 
of our country. 
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. A law 
punishing the willfuI.failure to pay child support must therefore be enacted. 
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THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
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Firsf Regular Session 
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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 assembled: 
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 parent who willfully fails to pay 
child support, if such 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 correccional. 
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 as alleged in the Complaint or Information creates a disputable 
presumption that the parent has the ability 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. 
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 
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unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provisions not affected thereby shall 


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Approved. 
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.