New bill aiming to protect elderly from abuse and violence filed in House

A bill seeking to protect the “most vulnerable sectors of society” from abuse and violence was filed at the House of Representatives.

Muntinlupa Representative Ruffy Biazon filed House Bill No. 4980 or the “Protection of the Elderly Act” which seeks to penalize the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of Filipinos aged 60 years or older.

Under the bill, neglect, exploitation, and violence against the elderly—including sexual, physical, and psychological abuse—will be penalized with imprisonment ranging from one month and one day to 12 years.

In addition, a fine between P100,000 to P300,000 will be levied on perpetrators.

“It is high time that a law is passed protecting the rights of the elderly against maltreatment and make those responsible for the abuse answerable under the law,” Biazon said in his official Facebook page. 

However, the House already approved on its third and final reading a bill penalizing violence against the elderly in February. 

A similar bill that seeks to penalize children who abandon their elderly parents was also recently filed in the upper chamber by Senator Panfilo Lacson.  — Julia Mari Ornedo/BM, GMA News