FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF TEE 
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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPTNES 
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Second Regular Session 
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SENATE 
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Introduced by Senator Antonio “Sonny” F. Trillanes IV 
Explanatory Note 
Bullying among students is a problem that has plagued schools since the beginning of 
institutionalized education, yet it is a problem that remains poorly understood and difficult to 
define. Today, school bullying appears to be more prevalent and more serious than in previous 
decades, involving inore vicious conduct and deadlier outcomes. 
Bullying, intimidation and harassment, if unchecked, can have dangerous consequences. The 
U.S. Department oiXealth recognizes bullying and harassment as major health problem which 
are both widespread and potentially a serious threat to the health and well-being of children and 
youth. Children involved in bullying either as victims or perpetrators have a more difficult time 
in school, a higher prevalence of psychological and psychosomatic symptoms, and are more 
likely to report common health problems. According to the surveys of Public Health Data Watch 
conducted in 2002, to the kids in King County in Washington: 
e 
Youths who are harassed at school are almost three times as likely to carry a weapon to 
school. 
Students who are harassed are more likely to report being part of a gang. 
e Harassed students were much more likely to report engaging in self-endangering or 
harmful behaviors, including a dramatic increase in heavy drug use; they are also twice as 
likely to consider andor attempt suicide. 
In recognition of the impact that bullying and harassment has on children, this representation 
aims to pass the Anti-Bullying Act as a way to encourage school districts across the country to 
create proactive policies and measures to protect children. This bill shall require school districts 
to adopt policies prohibiting harassment, intimidation, and bullying. The Anti-Bullying Act shall 
require each school district in the country to develop a policy that prohibits the harassment, 
intimidation, or bullying of any student and to share information about the policy with students, 
employees, parentdguardians, and volunteers. 
*T<U-. 
AN 0 IO “SONNY” F. TRILLANES IV 
Senator 


FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE: 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
Second Regular Session 
1 
Introduced by Senator Antonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes IV 
AN ACT 
REQUIRING SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO ADOPT POLICUES 
PROHIBITING 
HARASSMENT, INTIMIDATION, AND BULLYING 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives ofthe Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as the "Anti-Bullying Act of 2008" 
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SEC. 2. Definition. "Harassment, intimidation, or bullying" means any intentional 
written, verbal, or physical act, including, but not limited to one shown to be motivated either by 
any distinguishing characteristics, when the intentional written, verbal, or physical act: 
(1) Physically harms a student or damages the student's property; or 
(2) Has the effect of substantially interfering with a student's education; or 
(3) Is so severe, persistent, or pervasive that it creates an intimidating or threatening educational 
environment, or 
(4) Has the effect of substantially disrupting the orderly operation of the school. 
SEC. 3. Anti-bitllylng policies. 
(1) The school board of directors in every school district shall adopt policies to prevent pupil 
harassment, also known as bullying. 
(2) The policies shall: 
(a) Clearly define conduct that constitutes bullying; 
(b) Prohibit bullying while on school property, at school-sponsored activities, and on school 
buses; 
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(c) State the consequences for engaging in the prohibited conduct, which may vary 
depending on the age or grade of the student involved; 
(d) Require that a school employee who has witnessed or has reliable information that a 
pupil has been a victim of bullying as defined by the district shall report the incident to the 
principal; 
(e) Require that notice of what constitutes bullying, that bullying is prohibited, and the 
consequences of engaging in bullying be conspicuously posted in every classroom, cafeteria, 
restroom, gymnasium, auditorium, and school bus in the district; and 
(f) Require that copies of the notice of what constitutes bullying, that bullying is prohibited, 
and the consequences of engaging in bullying be provided to parents, students, school volunteers, 
and employees. Each policy shall require that a full copy of the policy be made available upon 
request. 
(3) A school employee who has reported violations under the school district's policy shall be 
immune from any tort liability that may arise from the failure to remedy the reported incident. 
(4) The school division offices may provide opportunities for school employees to participate in 
programs or other activities designed to develop the howledge and skills to prevent and respond 
to acts covered by this policy. 
(5) 
adopted in compliance with this section. 
(a) The school district shall file with the Department of Education a copy of the policies 
(b) The school division offices shall review the policies provided by the school districts 
and may recommend changes or improvements to the districts if the division office determines 
that the policies need improvement. 
SEC. 4. Accountability to the Superintendent. Beginning with the school year after 
this bill is enacted, each school district shall report to the school division superintendent by 
January 3 1st of each year a11 incidents (resulting in disciplinary action) involving harassment, 


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intimidation, or bullying, (that result in a short or long-term suspension or) expulsion on school 
premises or on transportation systems used by schools, in the year preceding the report. The 
school division superintendent shall compile the data and report it to the appropriate committees 
of the House of Representatives and the Senate. 
SEC. 5. Protection against reprisal, retaliation or false accusation. 
(1) 
No school employee, student, or volunteer may engage in reprisal, retaliation, or false 
accusation against a victim, witness, or one with reliable information about an act of harassment, 
intimidation, or bullying. 
(2) 
A school employee, student, or volunteer who has witnessed, or has reliable infomation 
that a student has been subjected to, harassment, intimidation, or bullying, whether verbal or 
physical, is encouraged to report such incident to an appropriate school official. 
(3) 
A school employee, student, or volunteer who promptly reports an incident of 
harassment, intimidation, or bullying to an appropriate school official, and who makes this report 
in compliance with the procedures in the district's policy prohibiting bullying, harassment, or 
intimidation, is immune from a cause of action for damages arising from any failure to remedy 
the reported incident." 
SEC. 6. Implenzenting Rules and Regulations. Within ninety (90) days from the 
effectivity of this Act, the school divisions shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations 
to implement the provisions of this Act. Such rules and regulations shall take effect immediately 
thereafter. 
SEC. 7. Repealing Clause. Any laws, decrees, ordinances or rules and regulations which 
are inconsistent with or contraIy to the provision of this Act is hereby amended or repealed. 
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SEC. 8. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete 
publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved. 
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