MANILA — House Assistant Minority Leader and Akbayan Party-list Rep. Chel Diokno has filed a measure seeking to extend paternity leave from seven days to 90 days following live childbirth, stressing that child-rearing should be a shared responsibility between parents.

In a report, it said that Diokno filed House Bill 9891, or the Paternity and Parental Leave Act (PAPA Leave Act), which aims to allow fathers and caregivers to be more present during the early stages of a child’s life.

The proposal seeks to promote responsible parenting, strengthen family bonds, and improve child development outcomes.

The same measure also grants a 60-day continuous paternity leave for fathers in cases of miscarriage or emergency termination of pregnancy.

It further provides an additional 15 days of paid parental leave that may be availed within one year from childbirth, either continuously or in separate periods, bringing total leave benefits to 105 days.

“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 bill covers married fathers, non-marital fathers, and alternative caregivers who play a role in caring for newborns and young children.

It also extends coverage to workers in the informal sector and voluntary members of the Social Security System (SSS), subject to contribution requirements.

Under the proposal, private employers will continue advancing paternity leave benefits, with reimbursement to be shouldered by the SSS.

The measure also strengthens protections for employees, prohibiting dismissal, demotion, or discrimination against workers availing of leave benefits.

It likewise imposes penalties on employers and individuals who violate its provisions, including fines, imprisonment, and the revocation of business permits, and establishes accountability mechanisms to prevent misuse of leave benefits.

Diokno also warned that fathers who fail to provide care and support while on paternity or parental leave may be held liable under Section 5(i) of Republic Act No. 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004.

Other authors of the bill include Akbayan Party-list Reps. Percival Cendaña and Dadah Kiram Ismula, and Dinagat Islands Rep. Kaka Bag-ao.