EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez
5007

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 Ill, 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 eamestly requested.

RUFUS B/RODRI


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez
5007

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 afer its publication in the Official Gazette
or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,