Balancing Care and Accountability: The Debate Over SB 396
Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson's proposed Parents Welfare Act of 2025 has sparked important conversations about familial obligations and state support for the elderly. At its core, the bill aims to uphold the dignity of aging parents, ensuring they are not left neglected in their twilight years. By legally obliging capable children to support their elderly, sickly, or incapacitated parents, the bill recognizes the traditional Filipino value of filial responsibility—something deeply rooted in our culture. Yet, the proposal does not come without nuance, and the public must understand its scope and intent.