Actor Joey Marquez drew positive reactions online after expressing that children should be seen as responsibilities, not as investments for the future.
The showbiz personality appeared on the talk show “Fast Talk With Boy Abunda” on August 6, where he shared his thoughts on the proposed “Parents Welfare Act of 2025” or Senate Bill 396.
The bill, filed by Sen. Ping Lacson, seeks to penalize children “who abandon or fail to provide the necessary support for their elderly, sick, or incapacitated parents.”
The proposed measure has drawn criticism from some who believe that the bill could strain family relationships, “punitive measures” to compel children to care for their aging parents rather than fostering care out of familial love.
Joey, who has 16 children with different women, was asked by talk show host Boy Abunda for his thoughts on the Senate bill.
“Para sa akin, wala,” the actor said, when asked if children must take care of their parents.
“Kasi bilang magulang… ako kasi, hindi ko itinuring investment ang mga anak ko, itinuring ko silang responsibilidad,” Joey added.
“Kailangang gawin ko lahat para sa magandang future nila,” the actor continued.
Joey said it is enough for his children to lead successful lives.
He also said that a father should fulfill his responsibilities to his child without expecting anything in return.
The actor’s remarks were later featured on a quote card and shared in a Reddit community, where many Filipinos agreed with his sentiments.
“Joey Marquez – Hindi tinuturing na investment mga anak,” a Redditor wrote on Monday, August 11.
“Mommy Divine, Raquel Pempengco, Angelica Yulo (to name a few) can’t relate,” the uploader added with a laughing emoji.
Divine is the mother of artist Sarah Geronimo, Raquel is the mother of artist Jake Zyrus, while Angelica is the mother of two-time Olympic gold medalist Carlos Yulo.
“Of course, if dumating sa point na nasa kalye na siya, hindi papayag mga anak niya. ‘Yan ang tunay na utang na loob concept ng Sikolohiyang Pilipino. Hindi ‘yung ‘binuhay kita kaya dapat may makukuha ako sa’yo,’ hindi transactional,” another said.
“Utang na loob dapat manggaling sa tinulungan, dahil gusto nila. Gusto ibalik ang tulong na binigay sa kanila pero hindi obligated [na] tumulong,” the Redditor added.
“Dapat lang ‘wag magkaroon ng mga anak ang walang kaya dahil mababaon lang sila sa hirap at kailangan plano kapag gusto,” another Reddit user said.
“Dapat naman talaga ganyan e. Aanak-anak ka, gagawin mo lang cash cow? Kahit pa sabihing ginastusan mo anak mo mula sanggol hanggang paglaki, responsibilidad mo ‘yan bilang magulang. Sila, responsibilidad nila lumaki bilang maayos na tao na kayang tumayo sa sarili nilang paa ‘pag kaya na nila,” another Redditor wrote.
A financial literary advocate also shared her two cents on the matter.
“Ang talagang katotohanan, ang magulang ang may responsibilidad at obligasyon sa anak. Ang anak, ang responsibilidad is to honor and respect your mother and father. Dapat pa-forward, hindi paatras,” financial literacy advocate and journalist Salve Duplito said in a previous interview.
“Kahit na anong obligasyong napilitan, para bang ginawa mong investment ang anak mo, toxic ‘yun,” she added.
“Kung tinitingnan mo ‘yung anak mo as investment, hihingi ka ng return on investment, ‘Oh, bayaran mo na ako dahil pinanganak kita,’ eh hindi naman kasalanan ng bata na pinanganak siya sa pamilyang iyon,” Duplito continued.
She advised that family finances, especially when parents need help with expenses, should be addressed collectively, rather than placing the burden solely on the most well-off child.
“Look at the family holistically as a resource. Kanya-kanyang contribution. ‘Di naman puwedeng ‘yung mayaman lang ang naglalagay sa hat,” Duplito said.
