LORLY JEAN B.

LABAD BSBA-MM 1 SECTION 13

ANTI-HAZING LAW OF 2018

Hazing has been a part of fraternity initiations ever since fraternities were founded. Hazing was
employed to determine whether pledges were "fraternity material" before they were accepted into the
fraternity. Many people believe that in order to make friends and "fit in," they need to endure injuries,
including those caused by beatings, cold exposure, heat exhaustion, electrocution, being hospitalized,
and putting their lives on the line, even dying, just so they can be considered brothers in a fraternity.

The amendment of Republic Act 8049, which is now Republic Act 11053, has resulted because of hazing
getting worse to the point that many people who experienced being hazed have died, and is also
because the most recent hazing deaths recorded in the Philippines were of Horacio Castillo III, of the
University of Santo Tomas, and an Aegis Juris neophyte who died in 2017. It is a consolidation of Senate
Bill No 1662 and House Bill No. 6573 passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives on March
12, 2018 and March 13, 2018, respectively.

The Anti-Hazing Act of 2018 (RA 11053), prohibits all forms of hazing in fraternities, sororities, and
organizations in schools, including citizens’ military training. In connection to these, initiation rites that
are prohibited are already listed in the new law:

• Paddling

• Whipping

• Beating

• Burning

• Forced exercise

• Exposure to intense sunlight

• Forced feeding or drinking of anything (such as food or drugs)

• Other violent acts that may cause physical or psychological harm as well as embarrassment to a
newcomer, recruit, applicant, or member of an organization.

Those who will be subjected to and initiate this will face harsher, heavier and even worse
penalties. When a person who underwent the initiation rites dies, those who found guilty, they will face
life imprisonment or reclusion perpetua and a fine of P3 million. The officers, advisers, and even the
members of the fraternity, sorority, or organizations who are present during hazing, as well as non-
resident members or alumni who try to hide, conceal, hinder, or obstruct any investigation, they are all
subject to punishment too.