AKBAYAN Party-list Rep. Chel Diokno has filed a measure that would expand paternity leave from the current seven days to 90 days, arguing that fathers should have more time to care for their children during the earliest stages of life.
House Bill 9891, or the Paternity and Parental Leave Act, seeks to give eligible fathers and caregivers 90 days of continuous paternity leave following childbirth. The proposal also grants an additional 15 days of paid parental leave that may be used within one year after birth, bringing the total leave benefit to 105 days.
The bill provides 60 days of leave for fathers in cases of miscarriage or emergency termination of pregnancy. It also expands coverage to non-marital fathers and alternative caregivers who play a significant role in raising newborns and young children.
Diokno said the proposal aims to strengthen family bonds, encourage responsible parenthood, and give fathers a more active role in caring for children.
“By investing in shared parenting, this measure advances gender equality, improves child and family wellbeing, and strengthens labor force participation. It affirms that childcare is not solely the responsibility of women, but a shared parental duty that must be actively supported by the State,” Diokno said.
The measure would also cover workers in the informal economy and voluntary members of the Social Security System subject to contribution requirements. Under the proposal, private employers would continue advancing leave benefits and would be reimbursed by the SSS.
The bill strengthens protections for workers who avail of leave benefits and includes accountability measures against violations. It also provides safeguards to prevent abuse of the expanded leave system.
Diokno said fathers who fail to provide care and support while on paternity or parental leave may still be held liable under Republic Act 9262, or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act.
The proposal comes nearly three decades after the enactment of the Paternity Leave Act of 1996, which grants qualified married male employees seven days of paternity leave. Diokno said the existing framework no longer reflects the realities faced by many Filipino families and caregivers.
If enacted, the measure would represent one of the most significant expansions of parental leave benefits ever proposed in the Philippines, giving fathers a larger role in child-rearing while providing families additional support during the critical early years of a child’s life.
