NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Second Regular Session 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez 
House Bill No.  _____ 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Since 1954, the year when the first victim of hazing was reported, there have been at 
least 40 deaths caused by hazing. These 40 deaths are senseless and should have never 
happened. The victims had bright futures ahead of them. However, due to barbaric 
“traditions”, lives were unnecessarily taken and dreams died with the victims. 
Lenny Villa was one of those who died because of hazing. He died February 10, 
1991. His death was one of the first that drew national attention which eventually led to the 
passage of Republic Act No. 8049 or the Anti-hazing Act of 1995. The law was aimed at 
preventing hazing. Unfortunately, it did not.  
There were more deaths that followed. Horacio “Atio” Castillo III, a 22-year-old 
University of Santo Tomas (UST) law freshman was found on September 17, 2017 lying on a 
sidewalk in Tondo. He was later declared dead in Chinese General Hospital. His death was 
also because of hazing. Atio’s death sparked moves to amend the Anti-Hazing Law of 1995. 
As a result, Republic 11053 or the Anti-Hazing Act of 2018 was passed which strengthened 
the old law.  
Despite this new law, hazing still continued which, just recently, caused the death of 
Darwin Dormitorio who hails from Cagayan de Oro, this Representation’s hometown. This 
shows that there is need to further educate and remind the people on the realities of hazing 
and the provisions of the Anti-Hazing Act of 2018. We have to stop hazing once and for all. 
In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this measure is earnestly requested. 
RUFUS B. RODRIGUEZ 
August 14, 2023
8:00 am
8852


NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Second Regular Session 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez 
House Bill No.  _____ 
AN ACT  
DECLARING FEBRUARY 10 OF  EVERY YEAR AS THE NATIONAL ANTI-HAZING DAY 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION. 1. This Act shall be known as the “National Anti-Hazing Day Act.” 
SEC 2. The Tenth (10th) day of February every year is hereby declared as the “National 
Anti-Hazing Day.” 
SEC 3. An annual program of activities for the observance of the “National Anti-Hazing Day” 
shall be prepared and implemented, with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) as 
the lead agency. All heads of public and private educational institutions, the Philippine 
Military Academy, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, The Philippine National Police, all 
national government departments and agencies, and local government units shall support 
the CHED in all efforts to facilitate and promote related activities, encourage and afford 
sufficient time and opportunities for their employees or students to engage and participate in 
any activity conducted within the premises of their offices or establishments in observance of 
the “National Anti-Hazing Day”. 
All educational institutions are mandated to provide full support and assistance to the 
preparation of the annual program of activities and events to be conducted by the CHED in 
the observance of the event pursuant to this Act.  
SEC 4. The CHED shall be the lead agency in charge of the preparation and implementation 
of the annual program of activities and advocacy campaign for the observance of the 
“National Anti-Hazing Day.” 
SEC 5. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette 
or in a newspaper of general circulation.  
Approved, 
8852