FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. m1 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. MANNY VILLAR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Article XV, Section 3(2) of the Constitution provides that: 
"The State shall defend the right 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." 
Articles 276, 277 and 278 of the Revised Penal Code penalize the acts of 
abandoning a child under seven (7) years of age by a person who has the 
custody of such child; indifference of parents; and exploitation of minors. These 
provisions of the Revised Penal Code aim to enforce Article 15, section 3 (2) of 
the Constitution. However, the dramatic increase in the number of abandoned 
children as well as the increasing rate of juvenile delinquency committed by 
abandoned children necessitate the amendment of the penalties prescribed by 
the Revised Penal Code. The amendment aims to prescribe stiffer penalties 
when the offenses are committed by the parents of the child. 
In view of the urgent need to rectify the laws against delinquent parents 
and to better instill consciousness of their parental duties, the passage of this bill 
is earnestly sought. 
MANNY V LLAR 
I 


FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. m1 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. MANNY VILLAR 
AN ACT 
STRENGTHENING THE PENAL PROVISIONS WITH RESPECT TO 
DELIQUENT 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 Represenfafives of the 
Philippines in congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Article 276 of the Revised Penal Code is hereby amended to 
read as follows: 
“Art. 276. Abandoning a minor.- 
The penalty of arresfo 
mayor and a fine not exceeding five hundred pesos (Php 500.00) 
shall be imposed upon anyone who shall abandon [a child under 
seven years of age] A MINOR, the custody of which is incumbent 
upon him. 
“THE PENALTY OF PRISON CORRECCIONAL IN ITS 
MINIMUM PERIOD AND A FINE [OF AT LEAST 15,000.00 BUT 
NOT MORE THAN 20,000.001 SHALL BE IMPOSED ON THE 
CULPRIT IF HE IS THE PARENT OF THE MINOR. 
“When the death of the minor shall result from such 
abandonment, the culprit shall be punished by prision correccional 


in its medium and maximum periods[;]. IF THE CULPRIT BE THE 
PARENT OF THE DECEASED, HE SHALL BE PUNISHED BY 
PRlSlON CORRECClONAL IN ITS MEDIUM PERIOD TO 
PRlSlON MAYOR IN ITS MINIMUM PERIOD. [but] BUT if the life 
of the minor shall have been in danger only, the penalty shall be 
prision correccional in its minimum and medium periods. IN THE 
LATTER CASE, IF THE CULPRIT BE THE PARENT OF THE 
MINOR, 
HE 
SHALL 
BE 
PUNISHED 
BY 
PRlSlON 
CORRECClONAL IN ITS MINIMUM AND MEDIUM PERIODS. 
“IN ADDITION, THE PARENTS OF THE MINOR SHALL BE 
DEPRIVED OF THEIR PARNTAL AUTHORITY, HEREDITARY 
RIGHTS AND CUSTODY OF THE 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.” 
SECTION 2. Article 277 of the Revised Penal Code is hereby amended to 
read as follows: 
“Art. 277. Abandonment of minor by person entrusted 
with his custody; indifference of parents- 
The penalty of 
arrest0 mayor and a fine not exceeding five hundred pesos (Php 
500.00) shall be imposed upon anyone who, having charge of the 
rearing or education of a 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 latter, 
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 require] THE CONSTITUTION GUARANTEES. [and financial 
conditions permit.]” 
SECTION 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 MINOR CHILD 
CORRUPTING ORDERS, COUNSEL, OR EXAMPLE SHALL BE 
PUNISHED BY ARREST0 MAYOR IN ITS MAXIMUM PEROID 
AND A FINE _. 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 THR PENALTY THAT WILL BE IMPOSED UPON HIM, LOSE 
PARENTAL AUTHORITY, HEREDITARY RIGHTS AND CUSTODY 
OF THE CHILD.” 
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved.