House committee passes changes to anti-hazing law

The House Committee on Justice yesterday approved a substitute bill penalizing persons involved in hazing with 20 years to life imprisonment.

During its hearing, presided over by Oriental Mindoro Rep. Reynaldo Umali, the House panel passed the Revised Anti-Hazing Act which seeks to prohibit hazing and regulate other forms of initiation rites of fraternities, sororities, and other organizations.

Before the approval of the substitute measure, Kabayan party-list Rep. Harry Roque proposed that reclusion perpetua or life imprisonment be imposed against the offenders if hazing results to death.

But Bagong Henerasyon party-list Rep. Bernadette “BH” Herrera-Dy, principal author of the bill and a member of sorority, rejected Roque’s motion, saying that members of a fraternity and sorority have no intention to kill their recruits or neophytes.

“It is not premeditated, it’s not planned, it’s a mistake at the height of the emotions. We look at the future of those involved here, that is why we retained penalties to that of the existing law,” Herrera said, reminding that those who participated in hazing are mostly youth and still have a bright future ahead them.

Under the substitute bill, persons who participated in the hazing shall face a penalty of 20 to 40 years imprisonment and a fine of ₱1 million if hazing results to death, including suicide, rape, sodomy and mutilation.

The panel eventually decided to agree that a penalty of 20 years to reclusion perpetua shall be meted if hazing results to death, suicide, rape, sodomy, and mutilation at the discretion of the judge. Roque was included as one of the sponsors of the bill.

The substitute bill provides that all forms of hazing shall be prohibited at whatever stage of the initiation rite or practice.