(Eagle News)– The House of Representatives on Monday approved on third reading a bill that prohibits hazing and regulates other forms of initiations in fraternities and sororities.
Voting 210-0, lawmakers in the Lower House approved on final reading House Bill 6573 that aims to impose a total ban on all forms of hazing during initiation rites, and repeal the existing Anti-Hazing Law, or Republic Act 88049, that merely regulates the act.
The bill allows initiation rites that do not inflict direct or direct physical or psychological suffering, harm or injury to the neophyte, but this is still subject to requirements.
Under the proposed law, school-based organizations are required to register with school authorities before the conduct of activities.
Faculty advisers are also required to be present during these activities for monitoring purposes.
All new community-based organizations are also required to register with their respective local government units under the bill.
The bill imposes a more severe penalty of one day to life imprisonment if death, suicide, rape, sodomy or mutilation result from the hazing.
Hazing again became an issue in both the House of Representatives and the Senate following the death of Horacio Castillo III, a University of Sto. Tomas law freshman student, from injuries believed sustained during hazing rites conducted by the Aegis Juris fraternity in September 2017.
At least 18 people–mostly members and officials of the fraternity—were charged over his death.
Only recently, the Department of Justice re-opened Castillo’s case to pave the way for the admission of the statement of suspect-turned-state witness Marc Ventura.
The DOJ on Monday ended its preliminary investigation aimed at determining whether criminal cases should be filed in court.