Law proposed to criminalize neglect and abandonment of elderly parents

A lawmaker had filed a bill that would consider a crime of neglecting and abandonment by children of their elderly parents who are unable to support themselves.

Parañaque City Rep. Gustavo Tambunting said that if passed into law, it would be a crime to abandon and neglect elderly parents who are not unable to support themselves.

The measure titled, House Bill No. 4050, or the Criminalizing Deprivation of Support to Elderly and Indigent Parents Act, has been referred to the Committee on Justice.

Those found guilty will face imprisonment of up to six months on top of fines ranging from P200,000 to P500,000.

Tambunting cited the Commission on Human Rights’ (CHR) description of elderly abuse, neglect and abandonment as an “invisible issue,” noting that there were many such cases in the country.

HB 4050 will reinforce “the duty of children to take care of their elderly, sickly, or otherwise incapacitated parents by providing criminal action for the enforcement of their rights for maintenance and support”

Under the proposed measure, children should “within their means and capacity, maintain support for their father or mother who, by being over 60 years of age, or suffering from a disease or disability, are rendered incapable of supporting themselves.”

The term “Support” in the HB 4050 also includes “everything indispensable for sustenance, dwelling, clothing, and medical attendance.”

Under the proposed bill, parents that will be deprived of support by their offspring could initiate the filing of a criminal complaint themselves or through a representative of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.