Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 8049)
Hazing is defined as an initiation rite or practice as a prerequisite for admission into membership in a fraternity, sorority, or organization by placing the recruit, neophyte, or applicant in embarrassing or humiliating situations such as forcing them to do menial, silly, foolish tasks or subjecting them to physical or psychological suffering or injury.
The term organization includes any club, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, Philippine Military Academy, officer and cadet corps of Citizen's Military Training, or Citizen's Army Training.
Physical, mental, and psychological testing and training procedures to determine and enhance fitness of prospective regular members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police, as approved by the Secretary of National Defense and National Police Commission, are not considered hazing.
A prior written notice must be given to the school authorities or head of the organization seven (7) days before the initiation, indicating the period (not exceeding three days), names of those involved, and an undertaking against physical violence.
At least two (2) representatives must be present during initiation to ensure no physical harm is inflicted on recruits, neophytes, or applicants.
The penalty is reclusion perpetua if death, rape, sodomy, or mutilation results from the hazing.
They may impose appropriate administrative sanctions on persons charged under the hazing provisions even before their conviction.
Owners of places where hazing occurs, parents (if hazing occurs at home), school authorities who consent or fail to act, planners, advisers present during hazing who do not intervene, and officers or members who cooperated in induction can all be held liable.
The penalty is reclusion temporal in its maximum period for such severe consequences of hazing.
If any part of the law is invalid or unconstitutional, the other parts shall remain valid and effective.