Republic Act No. 11053 – The Anti-Hazing Act of 2018, is otherwise known as An Act Prohibiting Hazing and Regulating Other Forms of Initiation Rites of Fraternities, Sororities, and Other Organizations, and Providing Penalties for Violations Thereof, Amending for the Purpose Republic Act No. 8049, Entitled “An Act Regulating Hazing and Other Forms of Initiation Rites in Fraternities Sororities, and Organizations and Providing Penalties.
Hazing, as defined in the law, “refers to any act that results in physical or psychological suffering, harm, or injury inflicted on a recruit, neophyte, applicant, or member as part of an initiation rite or practice made as a prerequisite for admission or a requirement for continuing membership in a fraternity, sorority, or organization.”
What constitutes hazing?
Hazing includes, but is not limited to the following:
- paddling,
- whipping,
- beating,
- branding,
- forced calisthenics,
- exposure to the weather,
- forced consumption of any food, liquor, beverage, drug or other substance,
- or any other brutal treatment or forced physical activity which is likely to adversely affect the physical and psychological health of such recruit, neophyte, applicant, or member.
“Hazing also includes any activity, intentionally made or otherwise, by one person alone or acting with others, that tends to humiliate or embarrass, degrade, abuse, or endanger, by requiring a recruit, neophyte, applicant, or member to do menial, silly, or foolish tasks.”
Total Hazing Ban.
Section 3 of Republic Act No. 11058 states that –
“All forms of hazing shall be prohibited in fraternities, sororities, and organizations in schools, including citizens’ military training and citizens’ army training. This prohibition shall likewise apply to all other fraternities, sororities, and organizations that are not school-based, such as community-based and other similar fraternities, sororities and organizations: Provide, That the physical, mental, and practices to determine and enhance the physical, mental, and psychological fitness of prospective regular members of the AFP and the PNP as approved by the Secretary of National Defense and National Police Commission, duly recommended by the Chief of Staff of the AFP and Director General of the PNP, shall not be considered as hazing purposes of this Act: Provided, further, That the exemption provided herein shall likewise apply to similar procedures and practices approved by the respective heads of other uniformed learning institutions as to their prospective members, nor shall this provision apply to any customary athletic events or other similar contests or competitions or any activity or conduct that furthers a legal and legitimate objective, subject to prior submission of a medical clearance or certificate.
In no case shall hazing be made a requirement for employment in any business or corporation.”
Republic Act 11053 was signed into law by President Rodrigo R. Duterte about a year after the death of University of Sto. Tomas law student Horacio Castillo III in September 17, 2017. In September 18, 2019, Cadet 4th Class Darwin Dormitorio of the Philippine Military Academy died as a result of hazing.
Download the full text of RA 11053 :
