Lapid and his proposed bill

I think one of the many problems that we as a country face is the numerous laws that we have but the weak and toothless implementation of these laws. When I was still working with the city government, I was asked to draft an ordinance banning establishments to serve liquors to minors. I was pretty sure that there is already an ordinance of the same context. So I searched the archives and there I found that age old ordinance.

We have all kinds of laws, ordinances, rules and regulations but what we lack is their proper enforcement. We have to violate them first before we are reminded that a law violates such and such actions.

Earlier, I was reading in the inquirer another bill that is being proposed by Senator Lito Lapid, who by the way is one of those actor turned politician who have admittedly contributed some sound laws during his earlier term as a senator. Here's an excerpt of that article:

Lapid has filed a measure titled “Maintenance of Parents Act of 2010,” which will enable parents to ask the courts to require their children to provide them financial support.

In the explanatory note to Senate Bill No. 2519, the action-star-turned-lawmaker observed that “the incidence of elderly people neglected by their children is becoming not uncommon.”

“The onset of urbanization and commercialization has brought with it certain factors that tend to erode Filipino family ties and values,” Lapid said.

“This bill reinforces the duty of children to care for their elderly parents, providing elderly persons … recourse to the law,” he said.

Right to demand support

SB 2519 tackles a serious subject matter that runs deep in Philippine culture—respect for the elderly.

“The state shall provide legal assistance to elderly people in the enforcement of their right to demand support from their relatives,” it reads in part.

Section 4 of the bill states that “children shall maintain and support their father or mother or other direct ascendants who are in need.”

It seeks to enable the elderly to file a court petition with the assistance of a representative of the Department of Social Welfare and Development. During trial, the petitioner will also be represented by the Public Attorney’s Office “and shall be exempt from all charges and fees.”

In ruling on a petition, the court “shall take into consideration the financial resources of the child/children and his obligation to maintain his own family before it orders the maintenance and support of the elderly member,” according to the bill. -newsinfo.inquirer.net