FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
S E N A T E  
7 MOV 27 P3 25 
Senate Bill No. -2 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. MANNY VILLAR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Our statutes would reveal a coterie of provisions and policies indicating respect 
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“The State recognizes the Filipino family as the foundation of nation. Accordingly, 
it shall strengthen its solidarity and actively promote its total development.” (Art. 
XV, Sec. 1) 
. “The family has the duty to care for its elderly members but the State may also 
do so through just programs of social security.” (Sec. 4, Art. 15). 
. Under Article 195 of the Family Code, legitimate ascendants and descendants 
are obliged to support each other. Likewise, parents and their legitimate and/or 
illegitimate children are bound to support each other. 
of one’s parents and the elderly, to wit: 
However, there are cases where elderly members of the family, who are admittedly 
in the twilight of their lives are neglected and left to fend for themselves. There are even 
instances where elderly members are abandoned by their own children without any 
means of support. Thus, the time has come to enact laws to protect the elderly. 
This bill addresses the growing problem of neglect and abandonment of the elderly. 
The descendants whether legitimate or illegitimate shall be required to give support to 
the elderly who are in need of maintenance and support. 
Immediate approval of this legislation is earnestly recommended. 


FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
S E N A T E  
Senate Bill No. 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. MANNY VILLAR 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR THE MAINTENANCE AND SUPPORT OF ELDERLY MEMBERS 
OF THE FAMILY, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
Section I. 
Declaration---It is declared policy of the State to be cognizant of the 
debilitating financial resources of the elderly members of the family. Hence, the State 
must take positive steps to care for their needs through programs that will strengthen 
the solidarity of the family and actively promote its total development. 
Section 2. Definition of Terms ---For purposes of this Act the following terms 
shall mean: 
(a) "elderly member''---refers to the father or mother or other direct ascendants of 
a particular child; 
(b) "in need''---shall mean the elderly member who are already aged, sickly, 
disabled or otherwise incapable of supporting themselves; 
(c) "support"---comprises everything indispensable for sustenance, dwelling, 
clothing, medical attendance, and transportation, in keeping with the financial 
capacity of the family. 
Section 3. Maintenance of Parents--Children shall maintain and support their 
father or mother and other direct ascendants who are in need. 
Where an elderly member appears to be in need, he may by himself or through a 
representative of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), file a 
petition in court for his maintenance and support from any or all of his children. 
Upon trial, the elderly member shall be represented by a lawyer from the public 
attorney's office and shall be exempt from all charges and fees. 
must state: 
Section 4. Contents of the Petition--the petition for maintenance and support 
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(a) The facts showing that the elderly member appears to be aged, sickly, 
(b) The names of the children and their residence and current status in life. The 
petition shall be verified and shall be sufficient if based upon the information 
and belief of the petitioner. 
Section 5. Ordering of Hearing---If the petition filed is sufficient in form and 
substance, the court, by an order reciting the purpose of the petition, shall fix the date 
for the hearing thereof and a copy of such order shall be served on the child/ children 
required to maintain and support such elderly member. 
Section 6. Order of Hearing---The court may after notice and hearing, grant or 
deny the petition. Moreover, the court shall take into consideration the financial 
resources of the childlchildren and his obligation to maintain his own family before it 
orders the maintenance and support of the elderly member. 
Section 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations---The Department of Social 
Welfare and Development (DSWD) shall make the rules and guidelines necessary for 
the proper implementation of this Act. 
Section 8. Repealing Clause---No laws, orders, decrees, proclamation, rules and 
regulations or parts thereof which are inconsistent with any of the provisions of this Act 
are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
Section 9. Effectively Clause---This Act shall take effect after its publication in 
the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation, whichever 
comes earlier. 
disabled or otherwise incapable of supporting themselves; 
Approved, 
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