FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
1 
S E N A T E  
s. B. NO. 
303 
Introduced by Senator 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 shall defend the righf 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." 
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 respect to delinquent parents. It intends to minimize 
and eventually eliminate the cases of neglected and abused children. 
For these reasons, the passage of this bill is earnestly recommended 
U 
Senator 


’* 
I ~. 
, 
:IECEISED 0,Y: , 
S E N A T E  
Senate Bill No. 3 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
STRENGTHENING 
THE 
PENAL 
PROVISIONS WITH 
RESPECT TO 
DELINQUENT PARENTS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE ARTICLES 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 
arrest0 mayor and a fine of at least ten thousand pesos 
(Pl0,OOO.OO) but not more than fifteen thousand pesos 
(Pl5,OOO.OO) shall be imposed to anyone who shall abandon [a 
child under seven years of age] AN UNEMANCIPATED 
MINOR, the custody of which is incumbent upon him. 
“THE PENALTY OF PRISON CORRECTION IN ITS 
MINIMUM PERIOD AND A FINE OF AT LEAST FIFTEEN 
THOUSAND PESOS (Pl5,OOO.OO) BUT NOT MORE THAN 
TWENTY THOUSAND PESOS (P20,OOO.OO) SHALL BE 
IMPOSED ON THE CULPRIT IF HE IS THE PARENT OF THE 
UNUEMANCIPATED 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 PRlSlON CORRECTlONAL IN ITS 
MEDIUM PERIOD TO PRlSlON MAYOR IN ITS MINIMUM 
PERIOD [;I [but] BUT if the life of the UNEMANCIPATED minor 
shall have been in danger only, the penalty shall be prision 
correctional in its minimum and medium periods. 
IN THE 
LATTER CASE, IF THE CULPRIT BE THE PARENT OF THE 
UNEMANCIPATED MINOR, HE SHALL BE PUNISHED BY 
PRlSlON CORRECTlONAL IT ITS MINIMUM AND MEDIUM 
PERIODS. 
“IN 
ADDITION, 
THE 
PARENTS 
OF 
THE 
UNEMANCIPATED MINOR SHALL BE DEPRIVED OF THEIR 


PARENTAL AUTHORITY, 
HEREDITARY RIGHTS AND 
CUSTODY OF THE UNEMANCIPATED 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 277 of the Revised Penal Code, as amended, is hereby 
further amended to read as follows: 
“Art 277. Abandonment of minor by person entrusted 
with his custody; indifference of parents. - The penalty of 
arresi‘o mayor and a fine of at least ten thousand pesos 
(PlO,OOO.OO) but not more than fifteen thousand pesos 
(PI 5,000.00) shall be imposed upon anyone who, having 
charge of the rearing education of [a] AN UNEMANCIPATED 
minor, shall deliver 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 
UNEMANCIPATED 
CHILD CORRUPTING 
ORDERS, 
COUNSELS OR EXAMPLE SHALL BE PUNISHED BY 
ARREST0 MAYOR IN ITS MAXIMUM PERIOD AND A 
FINE OF AT LEAST TEN THOUSAND PESOS (Pl0,OOO.OO) 
BUT NOT MORE THAN FIFTEEN THOUSAND PESOS 
(Pl5,OOO.OO). 
THIS SHALL INCLUDE CASES 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 (15) days after its publication in at 
least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,