QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 10627)
RA 10627 is known as the “Anti-Bullying Act of 2013.”
Bullying refers to any severe or repeated written, verbal, or electronic expression, physical act/gesture, or combination directed at another student that causes or places the student in reasonable fear of physical or emotional harm or damage to property; creates a hostile environment at school; infringes the student’s rights at school; or materially and substantially disrupts the education process or orderly operation of a school.
Examples include punching, pushing, shoving, kicking, slapping, tickling, headlocks, school pranks, teasing, fighting, and using available objects as weapons.
Any act that causes damage to the victim’s psyche and/or emotional well-being.
It includes statements like foul language/profanity directed at the target, name-calling, tormenting, and negative comments about the victim’s looks, clothes, or body that cause undue emotional distress.
Yes. Cyber-bullying or bullying through technology or electronic means is expressly included.
Bullying is prohibited on school grounds; property immediately adjacent; at school-sponsored/school-related activities, functions, or programs whether on or off school grounds; at school bus stops; on school buses/vehicles owned/leased/used by a school; and through technology or electronic devices owned/leased/used by a school.
When the acts (even at a location/activity not school-related and using a non-school device) create a hostile environment at school for the victim, infringe on the victim’s rights at school, or materially and substantially disrupt the education process or orderly operation of a school.
Retaliation is prohibited against a person who reports bullying, provides information during an investigation, or is a witness to or has reliable information about bullying.
Schools must identify disciplinary administrative actions commensurate with the nature and gravity of the offense, and perpetrators must also be required to undergo a rehabilitation program administered by the institution. Parents of the perpetrator should be encouraged to join the rehabilitation program.
At minimum: (1) reporting bullying/retaliation; (2) prompt response and investigation; (3) restoring safety and assessing protection needs; (4) protection from bullying/retaliation for reporters/witnesses/informants; and (5) counseling or referral to appropriate services for perpetrators, victims, and relevant family members.
No. No disciplinary administrative action shall be taken against a perpetrator solely on the basis of an anonymous report.
A student who knowingly makes a false accusation of bullying may be subjected to disciplinary administrative action.
Schools must maintain a public record of relevant information and statistics, but names of students who committed bullying or retaliation must be strictly confidential, disclosed only to school administration, teachers directly responsible for the students, and parents/guardians of students who are or have been victims.
The school principal or any person holding a comparable role.
If bullying/retaliation occurred: (a) notify law enforcement if criminal charges may be pursued under the Revised Penal Code; (b) take appropriate disciplinary administrative action; (c) notify parents/guardians of the perpetrator; and (d) notify parents/guardians of the victim regarding actions taken to prevent further incidents.