FRATERNITY IN UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES SHALL NOT BE PROHIBITED

NECESSITY
A pleasant _______ to our guests, adjudicators, and fellow debaters.
According to the 1987 Constituti on, Article II, section 23, the state shall encourage non-
governmental, community-based, or sectoral organizations that promote the welfare of the
nation.
Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary defines fraternity as a group of people associated with or
formally organized for a common purpose, interest, or pleasure. (More fraternity meaning).
We firmly believe that FRATERNITY IN UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES SHALL NOT BE
PROHIBITED.
Fraternities have existed long ago. Humans always have that natural desire to associate
with each other for a common purpose – either for social, philosophical, political, religious,
charitable, mutual-benefit or business purposes (Sarmiento, 2018). In the history of the
Philippines for instance, Katipunan, founded by the anti-Spanish Filipinos in Manila in 1892 was
built for the common purpose of gaining independence through revolution, it was the first
documented fraternity in Philippine history (Colonel Kennon, 1901).
The presence of fraternities as associations in the community plays a crucial role in
promoting the welfare of the nation. With common goals of friendship, leadership, service, and
philanthropy, fraternity serves as a strong support system forging better individuals in society
(Rappler, 2017). Welfare of the nation, Service, Friendship, Leadership, Philanthropy. Mayor
Teves, National Chairman of Triskelion Alumni Organization said that Tau Gamma Phi, the largest
fraternity group in the Philippines, provides socio-civic projects such as medical and dental
missions, bloodletting with the Philippine National Red Cross, feeding of indigents in different
barangays nationwide, gift giving to the poor children, scholarships, and training, and a lot of
humanitarian projects in the community. Tau Gamma Phi conducted successful bloodletting
project in Hacienda Heights village Covered court in 2020, and the recent conclude Feeding
program at Lambug Elementary School, A project by Badian Chapter, Cebu Southwest Council last
March 19, 2023. Alpha Phi Omega also held a reading literary session among the grade 3 learners of
Severo Abeto Elementary School at Sooc Arevalo Iloilo City last march 5, 2023. Leadership.
Fraternities encourages the youth to be involved in leadership and extracurricular ativities by
increasing the numberof available leadership opportunities (Kuh & Lyous, 1990). Honorable Joel
Villanueva, current member of Triskelion Fraternity, was chosen by more than 18 thousand
Filipinos as a senator of the Philippines in the year 2016 up to the present. This is only the
manifestation of the trust of Filipinos to frat members, that they could be a great leader of their
own country. Frienship. According to the published article of Rappler in 2017, brotherhood is an
important aspect of what fraternity life stands for. It is the soul of the fraternity that binds its
members together and allows them to strive towards greater goals.
These are only some of the accomplished projects of ov a hundred registered fraternity
groups in the Philippines.
Even today, Tau Gamma Phi`s official Facebook Page shows that there are more than 800
thousand Filipinos that are members of their fraternity and the number continues to increase.
The real essence of every fraternities` mission or goals can be seen clearly in the
development of society. Banning fraternities would only mean sacrificing all their goals or
missions of bringing out the best from the people and for the people.

https://lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2011/sep2011/gr_165287_2011.html#:~:text=Absolute
%20Sentencia%20Expositore%20Non%20Indiget,explanation%20of%20it%20is%20required.
There is no need for us to prohibit
It is created as a place to foster academic, community service, and social initiatives and is based
on the principles of friendship, leadership, scholarship, and philanthropy.
Friendship. Fraternities provide social places for students to
On February 4, 2019, in Abu Dhabi, Pope Francis and Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Ahmad Al-Tayyeb, signed the
Document on Human Fraternity to highlight the "need for a sense of fraternity amongst all men and women
of goodwill" worldwide. (PNA, 2022)
Would you agree that there is any other laws or body higher than the Philippine constitution?
Then why would you question the recognition of the Philippine constitution to the fraternity
groups in the Philippines?
I firmly believe that this case is no longer debatable for it is already written in the Philippine
constitution and no man is higher than that.

Section 13
Youth patriotism n nationalism
Physical moral spiritual
Examples in line with the provisions

The constitution recognizes fraternities but if these fraternities abide the law, they are
punishable by the law.
Violative to what is stated in the constitution
Fraternity group from UP (Who was the founder? Why did they developed such fraternity
group? What is their major purpose or objective?)

Triskelion : believes in the power of reason rather than the use of force as a reason
Tau Gamma Phi: to serve and excel in all fields of human endeavor
According to the Philippine constitution Filipinos have the right to fraternity
Anti hazing law was made to control the hazing cases in fraternities because there are members
who do not understand their goals. These Anti Hazing law was made to control but these law
does not necessarily mean that they are against fraternity
Why should we continue supporting fraternity
Do fraternity really are working for the best of our community?
Their goals are aligned to the provisions of the Philippine Constitution

Would you agree that fraternity is synonymous to hazing?

You have mentioned the case of _____ from Tau Gamma Phi Fraternity. How familiar are you
with this fraternity? You know that they are composed of more than 800 thousand Filipino
members? So you would say that these 800 thousand Filipinos, as the members of these
fraternity, would commit rape right? Or would you agree that these one suspect did not able to
understand the goal of his fraternity and had just made a personal crime for himself?
Why would you mention the name of then fraternity if out from the 800 thousand members it is
only one person who made the crime?
Would you agree that their goal is to rape or kill people? Then I need you to prove that all the
members of these fraternities have raped of killed a person already?
Joel Villanueva has become a mentor of _______ and he is now a (domino effect) ex: chief
justice _________
Prove that fraternity is really a strong support system forging better individuals in the society.

Initiation or initiation rites refer to ceremonies, practices rituals, or other acts., whether formal
or informal, that a person must perform or take part in order to be accepted into a fraternity,
sorority, or organization as a full pledge member. (RA 11053)
RA No 11053 (Anti-Hazing Act of 2018)
Is an act regulating hazing and other forms of initiation rites in fraternities, sororities, and
organizations and providing penalties, therefore. Section 4. Only initiation rites or practices that
do not constitute hazing shall be allowed.
DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES AND STATE POLICIES (Article II)
Section 13. The state recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation-building and shall promote
and protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being. It shall inculcate in
the youth patriotism and nationalism, and encourage their involvement and civic affairs.
“Initiation Rites” shall refer to ceremonies, practices, rituals, or other acts, whether formal or
informal, that a person must perform or take part in order to be accepted into a fraternity,
sorority, or organization as a full-fledged member. It includes ceremonies, practices, rituals, and
other acts in all stages of membership in a fraternity, sorority, or organization. ( GUIDELINES FOR
INITIATION RITES APPLICATIONS OF ENROLLED ORGANIZATIONS/CLUBS)
Fraternities in the Philippines are social organizations of men in different colleges and
universities in the Philippines having common purpose, interests, and activities. A fraternity is
defined as a group of people united in a relationship, having some common interests, activity,
and purpose. It is a brotherhood, as the members usually say, of people at a college or
university usually characterized by Greek letters. For members, fraternity means brotherhood,
unity, friendship, trust and acceptance. It means meeting new people, sharing interests and
accepting others' as well. It helps inbuilding confidence and character because they believe that
a fraternity gives a certain kind of protection. It gives the feeling of security and importance. It is
somewhat comparable to gangs as they are both organization of people. However, gangs usually
lack purpose and acceptance to communities. Usually linked with violence because members
tend to compete with each other. Unlike in fraternity, members have this humility to help each
other out and protect each other from an outsider.

Fraternities and sororities were created as a place to foster academic, community service, and
social initiatives that are unique to each chapter. Fraternity and Sorority life is based on the
tenets of friendship, leadership, scholarship, and philanthropy.

The heart of fraternity

Until now
Benefits

Collegiate
APO Group
Scouting principle
Binay

3 Principle
Leadership service friendship
Brothers n sister support
Continuous service

Republic Act No. 11053 (lawphil.net)

DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES AND STATE POLICIES (Article II)
Section 13. The state recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation building and shall promote
and protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being. It shall inculcate in
the youth patriotism and nationalism, and encourage their involvement and civic affairs.
Important people who became part of the fraternities
RA No 11053 (Anti-Hazing Act of 2018)
An act regulating hazing and other forms of initiation rites in fraternities, sororities, and
organizations and providing penalties therefore.
Section 4. Only initiation rites or practices that do not constitute hazing shall be allowed.

Tau Gamma Phi is one of the largest fraternities in the Philippines in terms of membership.

https://www.philstar.com/other-sections/letters-to-the-editor/2009/02/11/438900/tau-
gamma-civic-minded-peace-loving-fraternity
https://www.facebook.com/110798529600839/posts/origin-and-history-of-philippine-
fraternities-2017in-all-times-and-among-all-nat/661792574501429/
https://www.philstar.com/the-freeman/opinion/2018/02/24/1790917/are-fraternities-and-
sororities-corrupting-government

Facebook HYPERLINK "https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https%3A%2F

%2Fwww.rappler.com%2Fnation%2F182647-aguirre-opposes-complete-ban-fraternities-
horacio-castillo-iii-hazing%2F&text=Aguirre%20opposes%20complete%20ban%20on
%20fraternities&via=rapplerdotcom&utm_source=tw_share&utm_medium=social"Twitter
HYPERLINK "https://www.rappler.com/nation/182647-aguirre-opposes-complete-ban-
fraternities-horacio-castillo-iii-hazing/"Copy HYPERLINK
"https://www.rappler.com/nation/182647-aguirre-opposes-complete-ban-fraternities-
horacio-castillo-iii-hazing/" URL
Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II, a member of the Lex Talionis fraternity, says the
1987 Constitution protects people's right to form associations

MANILA, Philippines – Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II said fraternities cannot be

completely banned because they are part of Filipinos’ constitutional right to form
associations.
Aguirre said the right to organize and the fight against violence should be taken into
consideration in discussing the issue.
the University aims to create an environment that promotes constructive meaningful interaction among
students, fraternities, sororities and other student organizations; Whereas, in order to nurture that
environment, there is a need for the University to promulgate and strictly implement policies, guidelines,
rules and procedures which are responsive to the dynamics of interaction among fraternities, sororities
and other student organizations;
A fraternity is an organization of male students with shared interests, principles, and purpose.
Fraternities encourage academic excellence among its members who are also expected to help their
brothers with academic needs. Fraternities have been established from decades ago; You’ll find some of
the oldest and most prestigious frats in many state universities and top higher education institutions
around the country. Thus, the academic support that you can gain from being part of a big organization
like a fraternity can prove to be beneficial.
Joining a fraternity can also help in building an instant network. This network gives an edge to young
professionals who are starting their careers as many opportunities can spring from having a lot of
connections. It’s no secret that fraternities have alumni in powerful positions in government, business
and judiciary among others.

Many students find that membership in a chapter gives them opportunities to

develop valuable skills they have not been able to find elsewhere. Sometimes,
joining a fraternity or sorority is an excellent way for some students to meet
people, get more acclimated to campus life, gain important leadership skills,
have fun, contribute to the community, and/or establish life-long friendships.
 it may serve as a guide for future generations to advance a culture of mutual respect in the awareness of the
great divine grace that makes all human beings brothers and sisters,” the preface of the document read.