New Bill Wants Fathers to Get 105 Days of Paid Leave

Just in time for Father’s Day, Akbayan Party List Representative Atty. Chel Diokno filed House Bill No. 9891, or the Paternity and Parental Leave Act (PAPA Leave Act). The measure seeks to expand paternity leave from seven (7) days to a total of one hundred and fifty (150) days.

On June 19, 2026, Rep. Chel Diokno shared on his social media page: “May maagang pa-Father’s Day tayo para sa ating mga tatay. Pitong araw lang ang paternity leave sa ngayon. Sapat at makatao ba ‘yun?”

Under current Philippine law (Republic Act No. 8187), married male employees in both the private and public sectors are entitled to seven (7) days of paid paternity leave. This may be extended by an additional seven (7) days, provided that the mother is entitled to benefits under the Expanded Maternity Leave Law. This brings a father’s potential paid paternity leave to fourteen (14) days.

The existing paternity leave in the Philippines was enacted on June 11, 1996.

“Inihain natin ang House Bill No. 9891, o ang Paternity and Parental Leave Act (PAPA Leave Act). Layunin nito na mabigyan ng mas mahabang panahon ang mga ama na alagaan ang kanilang anak at suportahan ang ina,” Rep. Chel Diokno explained on his Instagram account.

The proposed bill aims to give fathers more time to be present during the first months after childbirth, both to support the mother and care for their newborn child.

Diokno said the proposed measure would increase paternity leave from the current seven (7) days to ninety (90) continuous days in cases of live childbirth and sixty (60) continuous days in cases of miscarriage or emergency termination of pregnancy.

The PAPA Leave Act also introduces an additional 15 days of paid parental leave that may be availed of within one year of the child’s birth, either continuously or on a staggered basis. In total, the proposed benefit amounts to 105 days, aligning it with the 105-day maternity leave provided under Republic Act No. 11210.

In an interview, Diokno further explained the rationale behind the proposed bill:

“Dati, maaaring okay pa ‘yan (seven-day paid leave) kasi parang ang pumasok sa mindset natin noon, ang mga tatay yung kumikita, ang mga nanay ang nasa tahanan. Pero iba na rin ang panahon ngayon at kinakailangang maitapat natin yung paternity leave at yung maternity leave dahil lumalabas sa mga pag-aaral na malaki rin ang papel ng tatay sa mga bata, pagdating sa child development.”

“Kaya naisip namin na maganda na maisama na natin at mabigyan natin ng pagkakataon ang mga tatay para maalagaan din nila ang kanilang mga anak habang nasa crucial child development age pa.”

The proposed PAPA Leave Act expands the eligibility beyond married fathers, extending coverage to non-married fathers.

It also applies to all employees, regardless of employment status. Diokno said the measure includes safeguards against discrimination or demotion of fathers who avail themselves of the leave benefit.

The proposed bill requires the Social Security System (SSS) to reimburse employers for 100% of paternity leave benefits. This follows the same mechanism under the Expanded Maternity Leave Law, in which employers advance the benefits and are subsequently reimbursed by the SSS.

However, Diokno also proposes safeguards against absentee and abusive fathers. Under the bill, any father who fails to provide care and support while on paternity leave may be deemed to have committed an act of violence and could be held liable under the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004.

What do you think of this proposed bill? Share your thoughts over at Smart Parenting Village.