Can an Unmarried Father Avail of Paternity Leave?

Can I avail of Paternity Leave even if I am not married to my partner who is giving birth to our child soon?

NO. You can not avail of Paternity Leave because you are not married to the mother of your child.

The Paternity Leave Act of 1996 (RA 8187) specifically states "MARRIED MALE EMPLOYEES."

This is the heading of the Paternity Leave Act:

REPUBLIC ACT 8187
AN ACT GRANTING PATERNITY LEAVE OF SEVEN (7) DAYS WITH FULL PAY TO ALL MARRIED MALE EMPLOYEES IN THE PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SECTORS FOR THE FIRST FOUR (4) DELIVERIES OF THE LEGITIMATE SPOUSE WITH WHOM HE IS COHABITING AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

To avail of the paid seven-day paternity leave, the male employee should:

• be legally married to his wife (the woman who has given birth to their child or has miscarried).
• be living together with his wife at the time of his child's birth or miscarriage.
• be an employee at the time of his child's birth or miscarriage.
• have applied for paternity leave with his employer for a reasonable period of time prior to his child's delivery In case of miscarriage, prior leave application is not required.

There's hope for another paternity leave! 
Optional paternity leave is included in the Expanded Maternity Leave bill passed by the Senate in 2017.

But as of today, June 1, 2017, this Senate bill is still waiting for the House to create and complete its counterpart bill so that the Senate and House can agree on the final consolidated bill that they can submit to the Philippine President for approval.

Here below is the Paternity Leave Proposal included in the Senate Bill No. 1305, called Expanded Maternity Leave Law of 2017:

SEC. 6. Allocation of Maternity Leave Credits. - Any female worker entitled to maternity leave benefits as provided for herein may, at her option, allocate up to thirty (30) days of said benefits to the child’s father, whether or not the same is married to the female worker: Provided, That, in the death, absence or incapacity of the former, the benefit may be allocated to an alternative caregiver who may be a relative within the fourth degree of consanguinity or the current partner of the female worker sharing the same household, upon the election of the mother taking into account the best interests of the child: Provided, further, That, written notice thereof is provided to the employers of the female worker and alternate caregiver: Provided, finally. That, this benefit is over and above that which is provided under Republic Act No. 8187, or the Paternity Leave Act of 1996.

Sources:

• Chan Robles Virtual Law Library. Paternity Leave Act of 1996 - Republic Act No. 8187. http://www.chanrobles.com/legal4paternity.htm#.WNjfQ9J97cs
• Department of Labor and Employment. Recognize paternity leave of male married workers, Baldoz reminds employers. November 4, 2015. https://www.dole.gov.ph/news/view/2965
• International Labour Organization. Republic Act No. 8187. http://www.ilo.org/dyn/travail/docs/1206/Republic%20Act%20No%208187%20-%20Paternity%20Leave%20Act%20of%201996.pdf
• Senate of the Philippines, 17th Congress. Expanded Maternity Leave Law of 2017. http://www.senate.gov.ph/lis/bill_res.aspx?congress=17&q=SBN-1305