Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 10627)
Republic Act No. 10627 is officially known as the Anti-Bullying Act of 2013.
Bullying is defined as any severe or repeated use by one or more students of written, verbal, or electronic expression, or physical act or gesture directed at another student that causes or places the latter in reasonable fear of physical or emotional harm, creates a hostile environment, infringes on rights, or disrupts the educational process or school operations.
Recognized forms include unwanted physical contact, acts causing emotional or psychological harm, slanderous statements causing emotional distress, and cyber-bullying using technology or electronic means.
All elementary and secondary schools in the Philippines are required to adopt and regularly update anti-bullying policies.
Bullying is prohibited on school grounds, adjacent property, at school-sponsored activities on or off-campus, at school bus stops, on school buses or vehicles owned or used by the school, and through technology or electronic devices owned, leased, or used by the school. It is also prohibited at non-school-related places if it creates a hostile environment at school.
Schools must have procedures for reporting bullying, prompt investigation, restoring victim safety, protecting reporters and witnesses from retaliation, and providing counseling or referrals.
Yes, students may report bullying anonymously; however, disciplinary action cannot be based solely on an anonymous report.
Disciplinary administrative actions commensurate with the offense must be imposed, and the offender must undergo a rehabilitation program administered by the institution, with encouragement for parental involvement.
The school principal or a person holding a comparable role is responsible for implementing and overseeing the policies.
The principal must promptly investigate, notify law enforcement if criminal charges may be pursued, take appropriate disciplinary action, notify parents or guardians of both the perpetrator and victim, and take measures to prevent further acts.
Yes, schools must submit reports on bullying incidents to their respective schools division superintendents, who then compile and report to the Department of Education Secretary and Congressional Committees.
School administrators may face administrative sanctions prescribed by the DepED rules, and private schools risk suspension of their permits to operate if they fail to comply.
The Act took effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in at least two national newspapers of general circulation.