Stiffer penalties for those involved in future hazing-related deaths, which include a fine of P20 million, were recommended by the Senate
Committee on Justice and Human Rights.
Based on the Committee Report No. 92 filed last May 31, the Senate panel chaired by Senator Francis Tolentino endorsed to amend the
current Anti-Hazing Law under Republic Act 11053.
Tolentino suggested to hold all members and officials of any fraternities or other organizations liable for deaths resulting from
their welcoming or initiation rites.
In his sponsorship speech on Tuesday, Tolentino explained that members of the Justice committee have concurred with making the fraternity, sorority, and other organization solidarily liable to the family of the victim of hazing.
They should be imposed a P20 million fine for any death or physical injuries that resulted from any of the initiation activities of their group—as well as the shouldering of the litigation fees of the victim’s family.
The group’s certificate of registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission shall also be automatically cancelled and declared
as an illegal organization.
The committee report stemmed from a recent Senate inquiry in connection with the death of Adamson University student John Matthew
Salilig, who died due to hazing last February.
“The root cause of hazing deaths is really the culture of violence that is prevalent and being perpetrated by fraternities, sororities,
and other organizations,” the senator said.
“I myself am a member of a fraternity, but I support the changes being proposed by the committee to strengthen our laws,” Tolentino added.
Another proposal laid down by Tolentino’s panel is the proposed mandatory registration of all fraternities, sororities and other organizations with the barangay and police station having jurisdiction over their organization, and the Philippine National Police (PNP) shall thereby create a national database of fraternity and sorority membership nationwide.
The panel also recommended the mandatory conduct of an information dissemination campaign at the start of every school year and quarterly thereafter to each and every student of the school together with their parents, guardians or nearest kin.
Tolentino noted that the committee report also includes a proposed fine of P5 million for any college or university that will fail to do information dissemination and shall be a ground for the Commission on Higher Education to deny the school’s autonomous status.