Philippines – A new measure in Congress wants to give Filipino fathers far more time at home with their newborns. House Assistant Minority Leader Chel Diokno of the Akbayan party-list has filed House Bill 9891, also called the Paternity and Parental Leave Act or PAPA Leave Act, pushing paternity leave from the current seven days all the way up to 90 days after a live birth.
According to a news report, Diokno argued that raising a child is a shared duty between both parents. He said the longer leave would help fathers and caregivers stay present during the earliest, most critical stage of a child’s life.
What the Bill Offers
The measure spells out several leave benefits for fathers and caregivers:
- 90 days of paternity leave following a live childbirth
- 60 days of continuous leave in cases of miscarriage or emergency termination of pregnancy
- An extra 15 days of paid parental leave, which can be used within one year of childbirth either in one stretch or in separate periods
Together, those provisions bring the total possible leave benefit to 105 days.
Who Is Covered
Diokno designed the bill to reach far beyond traditional households. It covers married fathers, non-marital fathers, and alternative caregivers who play a real role in raising newborns and young children. Workers in the informal economy and voluntary members of the Social Security System (SSS) are also included, as long as they meet contribution requirements.
For private companies, employers will keep advancing the paternity leave benefits upfront. The SSS will then fully reimburse them.
Protections and Penalties
The bill builds in safeguards for workers who take leave. It bans dismissal, demotion, or any form of discrimination against employees who use their benefits. Employers and individuals who break the rules face fines, imprisonment, and even the cancellation of business permits. Accountability measures are also included to stop people from abusing the leave.
There’s a sharp warning for fathers, too. Any father who fails to provide proper care and support while on paternity or parental leave can be held liable under Section 5(i) of Republic Act No. 9262, the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004.
Joining Diokno as co-authors are Akbayan party-list Reps. Percival Cendaña and Dadah Kiram Ismula, along with Dinagat Islands Rep. Kaka Bag-ao.