DUBAI: A lawyer specializing in family court cases has urged single moms, including overseas Filipina workers, whose ex-husbands or partners have been remiss of their financial obligations to their children to purses legal action.
Atty. Noel Del Prado explained over DZMM’s “Usapang de Campanilla,” that deadbeat dads, as they are called, can be slapped with violation of Section 5 of Republic Act 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Act.
They can be handed down a jail term of six months to six years and a fine of Php100,000 to Php300,000.
“Economic abuse [ito], ibig sabihin isa itong uri ng pang-aabuso sa aspetong pinansiyal,” said Del Prado.
He said there are certain parameters have been set by the law to determine whether a father – biological or otherwise – can be charged.
Del Prado said the law has been inclined to favor single mothers in cases like this.