Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS,
First Regular Session

594

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Hon. Carol Jayne B. Lopez

EXPLANATORY NOTE

It is easy to become a parent but it is very difficult to act as a parent.
Hence, this bill intends to penalize those who fail to act as parents are
supposed to act. In other words, those who are irresponsible in the
performance of their duties as parents will be prosecuted and penalized to
the full extent of the law.

Republic Act No. 9344 or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006
sought to address some of the issues subject matter hereof, but it is
submitted that a focus on the role of parents, with particular regard to
availment of programs for juvenile intervention and delinquency prevention
for children-at-risk and children exempt from criminal responsibility, as well
as compliance with diversion programs in cases of children-in-conflict-with
the-law, is necessitated by present circumstances. Likewise, several
incidents showing how parents act irresponsibly are identified.

This bill therefore provides stiffer penalties for irresponsible parents
by imposing long years of imprisonment and stricter amount of fines.

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‘The passage of this bill is thus earnestly requested.

CARO JAYNE B. LOPEZ
ZACAP Party List


REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

No. 994

HOUSE BILL Ne

Introduced by Hon. Carol Jayne B. Lopez

AN ACT PROVIDING PENALTIES TO
PARENTS ACTING IRRESPONSIBLY,
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the
Philippines, in Congress assembled:

Section 1.Short Title - This Act shall be known as the “Irresponsible
Parenting Act of 2013”.

Section 2. Declaration of Policy — it is hereby declared the policy of the
State to promote the welfare of children by necessarily preventing their
exposure to conditions which are unwarranted, oppressive and perilous
whether physically, emotionally or psychologically, and for this purpose,
ensure that their parents or those exercising parental authority over them
shall refrain from neglecting their responsibility over their children to the
end that the latter's utmost welfare is protected.

Section 3. Irresponsible Acts — Parents and guardians or those exercising
parental authority over their children/ward shall be liable for the following
acts:

1, failing or neglecting to provide proper education to their
unemancipated minor children/wards when their financial position
permits them;

2. allowing their unemancipated minor, 17 years old and below, to loiter
and/or play/wander unsupervised by an adult in public, in motor-
vehicle/traffic/accident prone areas like streets, roads, highways and
thoroughfares thereby exposing said minors to road and/or vehicular
accidents;

3. knowingly allowing their unemancipated minor children/ward, 15
years and below and 16-17 years old but acting without discernment
and therefore exempt from criminal liability to engage or participate
in any criminal activity;

4. failing to secure their firearms thereby becoming accessible to minors
who make use of them for whatever purpose;

5. failing to seek assistance or intervention to “children at risk” as


defined under Section 4(d) of Republic Act No. 9344 with the
community based programs under the Juvenile Justice and Welfare
system or any juvenile intervention program of the local government
‘unit concerned;

6. failing to comply with the appropriate diversion programs and
conditions established by the local social worker concerned in cases of
“children in conflict with the law” as defined under Section 4{e) of RA
No. 9344; or

7. allowing or failing to prevent the minor from being a member of a
street gang.

Section 4. Liabilities and penalties. - The following shall be the penalties
for the acts enumerated in Section 3 hereof:

1, for acts covered by subsections 1 and 2 - for first violation, the
penalty of imprisonment from six months to one year and/or fine in
the amount ranging from ten to twenty thousand pesos, at the
discretion of the court; for the second violation, imprisonment of one
year to 2 years and/or fine in the amount ranging from twenty to forty
thousand pesos, at the discretion of the court etc; for third violation,
imprisonment of 2 years to 4 years and/or fine in the amount ranging
from forty to sixty thousand pesos, at the discretion of the court;

2. for violation of subsections 3 and 4 - the penalty corresponding to the
felony or crime committed by the unemancipated minor, had he/she
been convicted but always in the maximum period, shall be imposed
‘upon the parents/guardians;

3. for violation of subsections 5,6 and 7 - for first violation, the penalty of
imprisonment from 10 to 12 years and/or fine in the amount ranging
from fifty thousand to sixty thousand pesos, at the discretion of the
court; for the second violation, imprisonment of 12 years to 14 years
and/or fine in the amount ranging from sixty to seventy thousand
pesos, at the discretion of the court etc; for third violation,
imprisonment of 14 years to 16 years and/or fine in the amount
ranging from seventy to eighty thousand pesos, at the discretion of the
court, and so on.

Further, in addition to the penalties imposed, the parent/guardian
found liable shall be required to undergo counseling by the Department of
Social Welfare and Development.

For this purpose, should there be more than one minor involved, one
minor is considered one violation. And, in case of conviction, the judgment
of the court shall always indicate who shall exercise parental authority and
supervision over the minor involved, taking into consideration pertinent laws
and rules and with particular regard to the best interest of the child.

Section 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations - The Department of
Social Welfare and Development and the Department of Justice shall jointly
issue the rules and regulations necessary to implement this Act.


Section 6. Repealing Clause - All acts or parts of acts, executive orders and
their implementing rules inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are
hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

Section 7. Separability Clause - If any provision of this Act is declared
invalid, the remainder of this Act or any provisions not affected thereby shall
remain in force and in effect.

Section 8. Effectivity Clause - This Act shall take effect after 15 days from
its publication in at least two newspapers of general circulation.