Love and compassion cannot be legislated

Aside from the controversial tax on long-term investments, the second controversial topic last week was about the proposed law that would require children of poor or elderly parents to take care of them or be penalized.

- CITO BELTRAN

Believe it or not, even the most God-fearing, parent-loving people I know reacted to the proposed legislation. Many people I know agree and believe in the fourth commandment that states: "Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you."

It is only but natural that Filipinos love and honor our parents. That is who we are and besides, who would not want the added benefit of living a long life. But there are some real-life concerns that should be addressed first.

Instead of passing the buck or addressing problems through force of law, why not create centers to care for abandoned elders unable to care for themselves? Every barangay has a basketball center, many have airconditioned multi-purpose party places, why not centers for the abandoned elders?

If not every barangay, then every town or city should have such a care facility under the health centers or senior citizens offices. Forcing families to care for someone who needs full-time care and expense when they don't have enough simply creates more problems.

Beyond financial capacity, I know true stories of parents whose only legacy is a wake of vices, debts and emotional debris. Sadly, even in their senior years, they felt entitled to be given casino or mahjong money by their children who already have their own families to feed.