Professional Documents
Culture Documents
All About Hazing
All About Hazing
Man is a social animal. It is part of human nature to feel the need to belong. We are
born into society’s basic social unit, the family. As we grow older, we expand our
social groups owing to the fact that we discover and meet new people. We find
affinities and similarities to build friendships, clubs, and communities.
One of the most sought-after social groups are those exclusive ones that are found in
schools and universities. These are often named after Greek letters that are said to
embody brotherhood and sisterhood in their community.
Indeed, fraternal organizations, civilized or barbaric, are as old as human civilization
itself. In the Philippines, the Katipunan is said to be the first brotherhood by Filipinos
which was created to liberate the land from foreign yoke.
It is no surprise then that, even to this day, the appeal and influence of fraternities is
still strong.
These rites can sometimes become hazing. Hazing is a practice that dehumanizes a
person who seeks to be a member of a group, usually through the infliction of physical
or psychological harm or sometimes both.
It is a brutal and violent rite of passage and has been so commonplace in the
Philippines that has earned the disdain and condemnation of society. A story of a
neophyte dying at the hands of his brothers is frontpage news every so often.
The gruesome death of Lenny Villa in 1991 pushed the passage of R.A. 8049, which
defines hazing and penalizes those responsible for any physical injury inflicted in the
course of the act.
It also obliges schools and organizations to regulate any initiation rite. Despite the
enactment of the law, many others like Lenny still perished in hazing.
In 2018, Atio Castillo’s death in the hands of his fraternity brothers has urged
Congress to strengthen the law which led to the enactment of R.A. 11053.
As the law now stands, all forms of hazing are instantly prohibited. Mere presence in
the conduct of hazing is forthwith penalized with reclusion temporal in its maximum
period and a fine of one million pesos.
Injury or harm is no longer necessary for an offender to be punished under the new
law. However, the latter also does not require intent for the crime of hazing to exist.
As a malum prohibitum, mere violation of the prohibited act constitutes an offense.
Contrary to the old law where hazing is only punishable when it is required for
admission, the new statute also expands the application of hazing as a requirement for
continuing membership in the organization.
The effect is clear. Hazing covers all forms of prohibited acts whether committed
against a neophyte or a full-fledged member.
The law does not stop there. Hazing is also present in any activity that tends to
humiliate or embarrass, degrade, abuse, or endanger by requiring a recruit, neophyte,
applicant or member to do menial, silly, or foolish tasks.
It should be stressed at this point that hazing and initiation rites are not synonymous.
The law clearly defines hazing as an act which forms part of an initiation rite. Thus,
not all initiation rites are hazing. This point will be elaborated later.
By way of exception, hazing does not cover practices done in the AFP and PNP to
determine and enhance the fitness of prospective members of these organizations.
This can occur in any organization which is defined under Section 2(c) of R.A. 11053
as any organized body of people. The AFP, PNP, PMA, PNPA, and other similar
uniformed learning institutions are included in this definition.
They like to sift through applicants who are perceived as weak. They naturally prefer
those who can withstand the pain and suffering in an initiation rite.
A consistent and committed membership is less likely to veer away from the goals and
aspirations of the group. Physical or psychological aggression is deemed an effective
tool to reinforce this.
Since the passage of R.A. 8049 in 1995, twenty-one (21) more deaths due to hazing
were reported which exposed that the law’s futility. This does not reflect the
unreported ones. Those done in community fraternities which enjoyed practically
absolute freedom from government regulations.
Physical pain and injuries are also too frequent and almost an expected result of
hazing. Hazed neophytes would receive physical blows that can bruise for several
weeks.
This can lead to hospitalization and absences from school. Alcohol and drug abuse are
also reported in hazing activities resulting to intoxication. Unwanted sexual
intercourse with female applicant may become a condition for her acceptance.
Hazing also affects the mental health of initiates and members. Dehumanizing acts
can cause emotional duress, depression and other mental health concerns.
The victim may feel strong resentment towards the organization and the members
which is very unhealthy in every group setting.
The victim may also lose friendships outside the organization due to the humiliation
he faced in the hazing. There is an increased likelihood of violence and aggression
which affects the lives of victims outside the organization.
An initiation rite, on the other hand, as defined in Section 2(b) of R.A. 11053 refers to
any ceremonies, practices, rituals, that a person must perform or take part in order to
be accepted into fraternity, sorority, organization as a full-fledged member. [4]
All hazing are initiation rites but not every initiation rite is a hazing. Initiation rites
may or may not involve hazing. Initiation rites are broader since they are similar to
rites of passage which are practiced by different cultures, religions, and tribal groups.
Not every known initiation rite involves physical violence or psychological abuse.
a] Prior written application to the school authorities seven days before the
conduct of the rite. The written application shall include the following:
b] The rites should not exceed for more than three days
c] The application should be under oath with a declaration that it has been
posted in the official school bulletin board, the bulletin board of the
organization, and two other conspicuous places in the school or premises of the
organization
d] The application should be posted from the time of submission of the written
notice to the school authorities or head of organization and shall only be
removed from its posting three days after the conduct of the rites
b] The application should be under oath with a declaration that it has been
posted in the official bulletin board of the barangay hall or municipality/city
hall where the organization is based, and the bulletin board of the office of the
organization
c] The application shall be posted from the time of submission of the written
notice and shall only be removed from its posting three days after the conduct
of the initiation rites.
The representative’s duty is ensure that no hazing takes place during the initiation
rites and they should also document the entire proceedings. After the conduct of the
rite, the representative should make a report to the officials of the school on what
transpired during such rite.
There are common acts that are constitutive of hazing. These are paddling, whipping,
beating, branding, forced calisthenics, exposure to the weather, forced consumption of
any food, liquor, beverage, drug or other substance.
The law, however, is not restrictive. Any other brutal treatment or forced physical
activity which is likely to adversely affect the physical and psychological health of a
recruit is considered hazing.
It requires due notice and summary hearing before any administrative sanction is
imposed. Officials of uniformed learning institutions including the AFP and PNP may
also perform this statutory provision.
They are also equally responsible if they fail to report promptly the hazing that has
occurred to the law enforcement authorities if there is no peril to their persons or their
family.
Section 14(d) imposes reclusion temporal to any former officers or alumni who
performs any act to hide, conceal or otherwise obstruct any investigation relating to
the hazing committed.
However, Section 14(b) penalizes all persons who planned the hazing and imposes the
highest penalty of reclusion perpetua. Mere planning does not necessitate actual
participation and thus presence may be dispense with.
Thus, former officers and alumni even if they are absent during the hazing may be
held liable as principals provided they actually planned the conduct of the hazing.
Related Jurisprudence
Prior to the effectivity of the Anti-hazing law of 1998, offenders who were liable for
the death or physical injuries that occurred in the course of hazing were prosecuted for
crimes of reckless imprudence resulting to homicide or physical injuries due to the
lack of enabling law which recognized and affirmed hazing as a distinct and separate
offense.
In Ateneo de Manila vs. Capulong [10] which involved the refusal of the school to admit
students who were found liable of hazing which was prohibited by the university’s
rules. The Supreme Court said:
Intent is material
In Villareal vs. People,[12] the case involving the death of Lenny Villa whose death
became the reason of the passage of R.A. 8049, the Court has traced the history of
hazing in the Philippines and cited anti-hazing laws in the U.S.
It also had the occasion to discuss that despite the recently passed Anti-Hazing law
may not be made applicable to the case, an accused may be found guilty of a crime of
dolo despite the presence of a factual premise, as long as malicious intent is proven.
Several accused were charged with violating R.A. 8049 when on the conduct of
hazing a recruit died. Justice Jose Mendoza discussed the history of US laws and
jurisprudence on hazing.
It categorically stated that the Anti-hazing law is a malum prohibitum and thus intent
is unnecessary to prove for criminal liability to arise. Citing Vedana vs. Valencia, it
said that:
‘The act of hazing itself is not inherently immoral, but the law
deems the same to be against public policy and must be
prohibited. Accordingly, the existence of criminal intent is
immaterial in the crime of hazing. Also, the defense of good
faith cannot be raised in its prosecution.”[15]
The court in that case stated the elements of hazing as: [16]
The Court noted that the law lacked penalties for hazing which resulted to
psychological harm:
“Curiously, although hazing has been defined as consisting of those
activities involving physical or psychological suffering or injury, the
penalties for hazing only covered the infliction of physical harm. At
best, the only psychological injury recognized would be causing
insanity to the victim. Conversely, even if the victim only sustained
physical injuries which did not incapacitate him, there is still a
prescribed penalty.”
The law also denied the applicability of mitigating circumstance of prater
intentionem:
The Court also ruled that the prosecutions is not required to allege every specific step
of the planned of the initiation rite:
On the disputable presumption in the law and its relation to conspiracy, the Court
explained that:
Verily, the disputable presumption under R.A. No. 8049 can
be related to the conspiracy in the crime of hazing. The
common design of offenders is to haze the victim. Some of
the overt acts that could be committed by the offenders
would be to (1) plan the hazing activity as a requirement of
the victim’s initiation to the fraternity; (2) induce the victim
to attend the hazing; and (3) actually participate in the
infliction of physical injuries.
Final thoughts
No one can be faulted for desiring to be a part of a group where they can feel the
sense of belongingness and pride of being a part of something bigger than they are.
Fraternal organizations can foster brotherhood and camaraderie that may be used to
achieve lofty goals.
Every right, however, has concomitant obligations and duties. No one can validly use
traditions and group mentality as an excuse to inflict harm, physical or otherwise, at
the expense of its budding members.
If it has the burden of keeping its membership safe from those it deems unworthy,
then, it has more reason to make its recruitment policies proper and in conformity
with law and human conscience.
May the strengthened provisions of the Anti-Hazing Law serve as a guide and not just
a deterrent to fraternities, sororities, and organizations to fulfill our bigger
responsibility towards society. That is to make everyone, regardless of their
association, free from violence and abuse.
References
References
↑1 RA 11053
↑2 RA 8049
↑3 Section 2[a], RA 11053
↑5 B.M. No. 712 July 13, 1995, In The Matter of The Admission to The Bar and Oath-Taking of
Successful Bar Applicant Al C. Argosino
↑6 Ibid.
↑7 Ibid.
↑8 Ibid.
↑9 Ibid.
↑11 Ibid.
↑13 Ibid.
↑15 Ibid.
↑16 Ibid.
↑17 Ibid.
↑18 Ibid.
↑19 Ibid.
↑20 Ibid.
↑21 Ibid.
↑22 Ibid.
↑24 Ibid.
↑25 Ibid.