F. Anti-Hazing Act (RA 8049, as amended by RA 11053)

G. Title Eight - Crimes Against Persons (Articles 246-266-D)

• Anti-Hazing Act of 2018 – R.A. No. 8049, as amended by R.A. No. 11053, secs. 2-3, 12 and 14

Sections 2-3, 12, and 14 Overview

Section 2: Definition of Terms This section defines key terms used in the Act:

• Hazing: Refers to any act that inflicts physical or psychological suffering, harm, or injury on a recruit, neophyte, applicant, or member of a fraternity, sorority, organization, or group as a prerequisite for membership. Hazing includes, but is not limited to, paddling, whipping, beating, branding, forced physical activity, exposure to the elements, forced consumption of food, liquor, or drugs, and any other brutal treatment or forced physical activity likely to adversely affect the physical and psychological health of the victim.
• Organization: Refers to any organized group or association, including fraternities, sororities, clubs, and similar entities, regardless of whether it is registered with educational institutions or the government.
• Initiation Rites: Refers to ceremonies, practices, rituals, or other acts, whether formal or informal, used as a prerequisite for admission into membership in an organization.

Section 3: Prohibition on Hazing This section strictly prohibits all forms of hazing in fraternities, sororities, and organizations in schools and communities. The Act separately addresses approved physical and psychological testing and training in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Philippine Military Academy (PMA), the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA), and similar uniformed-service training institutions. No initiation or membership rite or practice that involves hazing shall be allowed. Initiation activities that do not involve hazing remain subject to the Act’s separate notice and supervision requirements:

• The initiation rites must be held in the presence of at least two representatives of the school or organization, who must be present during the entire duration of the initiation.
• Written notice of the initiation must be submitted to the school or organization at least seven days before the event, indicating the place, date, time, and names of the participants.

Violations of these provisions are subject to severe penalties under the law.

Section 12 This section does not prescribe the penalties for hazing.

Section 14: Penalties This section prescribes penalties that depend on the resulting harm and the offender’s participation or other statutory basis for liability. Liability of school authorities is addressed separately from liability of hazing participants.

Summary

The Anti-Hazing Act of 2018, as amended by R.A. No. 11053, strengthens the prohibition against hazing in fraternities, sororities, and other organizations. Sections 2-3 define hazing and its prohibition, emphasizing that all forms of hazing are prohibited; statutory conditions for initiation activities do not permit hazing. Section 12 does not prescribe the penalties. Section 14 prescribes penalties based on the resulting harm and the offender’s statutory basis for liability. The amendments under R.A. No. 11053 are designed to provide stricter enforcement and deterrence against hazing practices in the Philippines.