ANY individual who would abandon his or her parent “in any place” would be imprisoned up to 10 years or pay a fine of P300,000 if a measure filed by Sen.Panfilo Lacson becomes law.

He filed Senate Bill 2819 allowing a parent, who is in need of support, may file a petition for support before the court and pray for the issuance of a support order against those children who failed or refused to provide the necessary support.

Lacson lamented that despite Filipinos’ close family ties, some still abandon their elderly, sick and incapacitated parents to fend for themselves. SB 2819 mandates children to “show filial responsibility” to their parents at their time of need.

A respondent who continues to fail in giving support for three consecutive months without justifiable cause, faces imprisonment of one to six months or a fine of P100,000.

“We Filipinos are well-known for our close family ties. Because of this close family ties, we have the usual inclination to care for our elderly.  However, even with this close family ties, there are elderly, sick and incapacitated parents who are abandoned by their children,” he said.

SB 2819 states that legal representation of the parent will be provided by the Public Attorney’s Office and no court fees will be assessed. It also seeks to establish an Old Age Home for the elderly, sick or otherwise incapacitated parents in every province and highly urbanized cities.

Lacson noted the rules requiring children to support their parents “have existed for thousands of years.” SB 2819 also calls for a support order to compel children to provide the necessary support to their parent.

“Such an order shall include the name of the children required to give support, the amount necessary for the support of their parent and the share of each of the children. The death of one of the children of the parent in need of support will not affect the liability of others,” he said.

“But if the court determines after due notice and hearing that the parent in need of support abandoned, abused or neglected the respondent, it may dismiss the petition or may reduce the quantum of support ordered by such amount as may be just,” Lacson said.