Main News
Bill protecting unwanted babies filed
By
Jan 15, 2008 - 10:39:21 AM

MANILA, Jan. 17 (PNA) -- A lawmaker has filed a measure seeking to stop abortion, child abuse and other anti-child acts by allowing the parents of unwanted babies to give up their children to the government without fear of arrest and prosecution.

Rep. Eduardo C. Zialcita said House Bill 3227, also known as The Safe Haven Act of 2007 or The Moses Law, permits parents to entrust the custody and care of their baby 60 days or younger, unharmed, to a member of any hospital, medical emergency facility, police or fire station or to an office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). The baby shall receipt prompt action.

Under the measure, parents may but shall not be required to give their names to the staff member or responsible employee receiving the child.

"However, the measure does not prevent the DSWD or any person allowed by law or custom to request a law enforcement agency to prosecute any violation of the Revised Penal Code or other laws," Zialcita said.

Zialcita said he filed the bill to address the moral degeneration of society as a result of the tragedies caused by abortion, child abuse, neglect and other forms of anti-life and anti-child acts.

"There is an increase in abortion, child abandonment and other kinds of anti-life consequences because of our eroding respect for the sanctity of marriage, and complications in family life and human sexuality brought by the globalization of our culture," the solon said.

The measure was filed to save the lives, health and future of innocent babies and children, according to Zialcita.

A parent who surrenders his or her child under this measure will have six months to change his or her mind and reclaim custody of the child by providing proof of parentage.

The same shall be applicable to the other parents claiming the child where in both cases, an investigation shall be made to determine whether the claimant is a lawful parent and to confirm if he or she has the capacity to adequately care for the child before custody of the child can be turned over.

Zialcita said a national registry of infants shall be established "to guard against any possibility on the abuse of the provisions of this measure, and at the same time improve government's response to cases of missing children."

This registry will make use of the missing-children website of the National Bureau of Investigation posting online timely information about each infant received.