Akbayan Party-list Rep. Chel Diokno wants to give fathers a lot more time with their newborns. He filed a bill on Wednesday that would expand paternity leave from the current 7 days to 105 days.
The measure is called House Bill No. 9891, or the proposed Paternity and Parental Leave Act (PAPA Leave Act). Diokno said it aims to promote responsible parenthood, strengthen family bonds, and improve child development outcomes. The idea is to let fathers and caregivers be more present during the critical early stages of a child's life.
Right now, Filipino fathers only get 7 days of paid paternity leave under the law. That's far behind many other countries where fathers get months off. Diokno's bill would change that in a big way.
The bill covers all fathers in the private and public sectors. It applies to biological fathers, adoptive fathers, and even those who have a child through surrogacy. The 105 days can be taken anytime within the first year after birth or adoption.
Diokno is a well-known human rights lawyer and former chair of the Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG). He has been in Congress since 2019 and is known for pushing progressive legislation. This isn't his first bill on family welfare—he's also filed measures on free legal aid and workers' rights.
The proposed leave is fully paid. The bill says the employer shoulders the cost for the first 60 days, while the Social Security System (SSS) covers the remaining 45 days for private sector workers. For government employees, the government pays all 105 days.
Diokno argued that the current 7-day leave isn't enough.
If passed, the PAPA Leave Act would make the Philippines one of the most generous countries in Asia for paternity leave. For comparison, Singapore gives 2 weeks, Japan gives 4 weeks, and Sweden gives 90 days. Only a handful of countries offer more than 100 days.
The bill also allows fathers to use the leave flexibly. They can take it all at once or spread it out over the first year. This is meant to help those who can't afford to be away from work for months straight.
Some business groups might oppose the measure, citing added costs. But Diokno said the benefits outweigh the costs.
The bill has been referred to the House committee on labor and employment. It still needs to pass through committee hearings, plenary debates, and the Senate before it becomes law. That process could take months or even years.
For now, Filipino fathers will have to make do with just one week off. But if Diokno's bill succeeds, they could soon get three and a half months.