Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 1) — A Senate panel on Monday recommended to amend the Anti-Hazing Law of 2018 (RA 11053) to include a ₱20-million fine on any fraternity, sorority, or similar organization if its initiation activities result in death or physical injury.
The joint panel of the Senate committees on justice and human rights and public order and dangerous drugs made the recommendation following the inquiry into the death of Adamson University student John Matthew Salilig.
In March, Salilig was found in a shallow grave in Cavite after attending initiation rites allegedly conducted by Tau Gamma Phi fraternity members in Laguna.
TIMELINE: The hazing death of John Matthew Salilig
“Fraternities, sororities, and similar organizations shall be jointly and solidarily liable to the families of the victims by making them liable to pay a fine in the amount of ₱20 million for any death or physical injuries that results from any of the initiation activities of their organization. The organization shall likewise shoulder the litigation fees of the victim’s family,” the panel said in its 71-page committee report.
Instead of a frat ban, the panel recommended that the groups, whether school-based or not, should be required to register their chapters, with a list of its members and officers, to the local police station with jurisdiction over the area.
The Philippine National Police will gather the list in a national database of fraternities and sororities.
“The failure or refusal of the organization to comply with the same requirement shall be prima facie presumption of the organization’s illegal activities,” the panel said.
Another suggested amendment eyes a ₱5-million fine for schools that fail to orient students and their parents or guardians about the role of the institution in working with the government to prevent hazing.
“Failure of the school to conduct such mandatory orientation and failure to submit compliance report to the CHEd (Commission on Higher Education) and the Congress shall make the schools liable to pay a fine of ₱5 million and shall be a ground for the CHEd to deny a school’s autonomous status,” the panel said.
“The fine of ₱5 million shall be paid to a Trust Fund to be created by the CHED, which fund shall be used solely for the support of victims of hazing,” it added.
The committee concluded that universities should take part in the adjustment and ensure that fraternities, sororities, and other organizations are not “pushed to go underground and beyond the regulatory power of the institution.”
