Child support in the Philippines is governed primarily by the Family Code (Executive Order No. 209, as amended), particularly Articles 194 to 208. There is no fixed table, schedule, or statutory percentage similar to those in the United States or other jurisdictions. The amount is always determined on a case-to-case basis, proportionate to (1) the needs of the child and (2) the financial capacity of the parent obliged to give support.
The Supreme Court has repeatedly emphasized that support must be reasonable and equitable — it should neither impoverish the paying parent nor deprive the child of a standard of living commensurate with the family’s previous circumstances.
Legal Basis for Child Support
Article 194, Family Code – Support comprises everything indispensable for sustenance, dwelling, clothing, medical attendance, education (including school fees, books, transportation, and allowance), and transportation, in keeping with the financial capacity of the family.
Article 195 – Parents and their legitimate and illegitimate children are obliged to support each other.
Article 176 (as amended by R.A. 9255) – Illegitimate children are entitled to support in the same manner and to the same extent as legitimate children.
Article 201 – The amount of support shall be in proportion to the resources or means of the giver and the necessities of the recipient. It may be reduced or increased proportionately according to changes in these factors.
Article 202 – Support in legal separation or annulment cases may be claimed in the same proceeding.
R.A. 9262 (Anti-VAWC Act) – Allows the issuance of temporary or permanent protection orders that include mandatory child support.
A.M. No. 04-10-11-SC (Rule on Provisional Orders) – Allows immediate issuance of provisional support orders even before trial.
Who Is Entitled and Who Is Obliged
Entitled:
- All minor children (below 18), legitimate or illegitimate
- Children above 18 who are incapacitated or still studying and without means
- In some cases, the custodial spouse (spousal support may be included)
Primarily obliged:
- Parents (jointly and solidarily)
- In default of parents: ascendants (grandparents)
- In default of ascendants: siblings
In practice, when parents are separated, the non-custodial parent is ordered to pay monthly support to the custodial parent.
How Courts Determine the Amount
There is no official DOLE, DSWD, or Supreme Court circular that provides a fixed percentage or table of child support amounts. Any “table” circulating online is unofficial, usually prepared by law firms or based on anecdotal averages from Regional Trial Court decisions.
Courts follow this general framework:
Assess the actual monthly needs of the child
- Food, clothing, allowance
- School tuition, books, uniforms, transportation
- Medical and dental expenses
- Extracurricular activities, gadgets, etc.
- Housing (pro-rated share of rent or amortization if applicable)
Determine the net disposable income of the parent
- Gross salary minus mandatory deductions (SSS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG, withholding tax)
- Plus bonuses, 13th–14th month pay (pro-rated monthly), allowances, commissions, business income, rental income, investment income
- Minus the paying parent’s own reasonable living expenses
Apply the principle of proportionality and equity
The paying parent must be left with sufficient means for his/her own decent living. The Supreme Court has consistently ruled that support should not exceed 50% of the paying parent’s net income in ordinary cases (Mangonon v. CA, G.R. No. 125041, July 30, 2006; Gotardo v. Buling, G.R. No. 165166, August 15, 2012).
Practical Ranges Observed in Philippine Courts (2020–2025)
While not binding, the following ranges are commonly awarded by Family Courts in Metro Manila and urban areas, based on hundreds of decided cases and affidavits of lawyers practicing family law:
| Monthly Net Income of Paying Parent | 1 Child (Typical Monthly Support) | 2 Children | 3 Children or more |
|---|---|---|---|
| ₱20,000 – ₱40,000 | ₱6,000 – ₱12,000 | ₱10,000 – ₱18,000 | ₱15,000 – ₱25,000 |
| ₱40,001 – ₱80,000 | ₱12,000 – ₱25,000 | ₱20,000 – ₱40,000 | ₱30,000 – ₱55,000 |
| ₱80,001 – ₱150,000 | ₱25,000 – ₱50,000 | ₱40,000 – ₱80,000 | ₱60,000 – ₱120,000 |
| ₱150,001 – ₱300,000 | ₱50,000 – ₱100,000 | ₱80,000 – ₱150,000 | ₱120,000 – ₱200,000 |
| ₱300,001 and above | ₱100,000+ (often includes direct payment of tuition, medical insurance, car, condo unit, etc.) |
These amounts usually exclude actual school tuition fees, which the paying parent is almost always ordered to pay directly to the school in addition to the monthly cash support.
Common Judicial Practice on Percentages
Many judges informally use these benchmarks:
- 1 child: 20–30% of net income
- 2 children: 30–45% of net income
- 3 or more children: 45–60% of net income (rarely exceeds 60%)
However, when the paying parent has a new family (second wife and children), the court reduces the support for the first family to protect the legitimate needs of the second family (Spouses Lim v. Lim, G.R. No. 163209, October 30, 2009).
Support Pendente Lite (Provisional Support)
Under the Rule on Provisional Orders, the court can immediately order provisional monthly support based only on the complaint and financial documents submitted. This is usually 50–70% of the final amount that will eventually be awarded. It can be issued within 24–48 hours in urgent cases (especially under R.A. 9262).
Modification of Support
The amount is never final. It can be increased or decreased upon proof of:
- Substantial change in the child’s needs (e.g., entering college, medical condition)
- Substantial change in the parent’s income (promotion, job loss, business success/failure)
Petitions for modification are common and are usually granted when properly documented.
Enforcement
Failure to pay court-ordered support is punishable by:
- Indirect contempt (up to 6 months imprisonment)
- Citation for violation of R.A. 9262 (up to 30 days imprisonment per month of non-payment)
- Garnishment of salary (employer can be ordered to remit directly)
- Hold-departure order, revocation of passport in extreme cases
The Supreme Court has repeatedly jailed high-profile individuals for chronic non-payment of support.
Conclusion
There is no rigid formula or official schedule for child support in the Philippines. The amount is always tailored to the specific circumstances of the child and the paying parent. Courts aim to balance the child’s right to live in dignity with the paying parent’s right to a decent life. The ranges and percentages cited above are derived from consistent judicial practice over the last decade and are widely accepted by family law practitioners as reliable predictors of likely court awards, although every case remains subject to judicial discretion based on the evidence presented.