
Commission on Human Rights INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – The statement of Human Rights Commissioner Faydah Dumarpa that they are awaiting the enactment of House Bill (HB) 8987, or “An Act Punishing the Willful Failure to Pay Paternal Child Support,” sounded a strong signal for the approval of the measure, House Deputy Majority Leader and ACT-CIS Rep. Erwin Tulfo said on Thursday.
Dumarpa, in a recent interview, said the enactment of the measure will help a lot of single mothers who find it hard to get child support from their former husbands or partners.
“Maraming single moms ang lumalapit sa amin at humihingi ng tulong para habulin ang kanilang dating asawa o partner para sa sustento ng anak (Many single moms are asking help from us in running after their ex-husbands or partner for the financial support of their child),” she said.
Dumarpa explained that neglecting to provide support to a child is a violation of the right of a child and would fall under a “Violence Against Women and Children” or VAWC because it is considered as economic deprivation.
Tulfo thanked the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) for expressing its support for the passage of HB 8987.
“Malaking tulong ang suporta ng CHR, knowing na nasa likod natin ang mga single moms at ang ahensyang ito (The CHR’s support is a big help, knowing that we are being backed by single moms and this agency),” Tulfo said in a statement.
Under the proposed measure, the amount of paternal child support per child shall be at least 10 percent of the father’s salary.
A father who refuses or is unable to provide support to his child even if he has the financial capability to do may face imprisonment of up to six years and a fine of up to PHP300,000.
The proposed measure had already passed the House Committee on Child Welfare and is already with the Appropriations Committee to determine the funds needed once it becomes a law, since an office has to be established at the Department of Social Welfare and Development to spearhead judicial or administrative process concerning child support obligations.