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Senate to review 13-year-old Anti-Hazing Law


MANILA, Philippines - The Senate is set to review the implementation of the 13-year-old Anti-Hazing Law as reports on fraternity-related violence in universities, colleges and academic institutions persist. The committees on Constitutional Amendments, Revision of Codes and Laws; and Education Arts and Culture, headed by Senators Richard Gordon and Manuel Roxas II, respectively, are expected to discuss Senate Resolution 829 upon the resumption of session on January 19, 2009. Senator Manuel Villar, author of the resolution, noted the laxity in the implementation of Republic Act 8049, passed on June 7, 1995, with the recurrence of hazing cases. The latest hazing incident reported was the death of a Public Administration and Governance student at the University of the Philippines-Diliman in 2007. He also cited a research data prepared and tabulated by the GMA News Research showing that fraternity-related violence did not cease with the passage of the law intending to regulate hazing and initiation rites. Villar said the law should be amended to include not only penalty for physical violence but alternative initiation rites such as community and university service or tutorial assistance. "These alternative and constructive nation-building activities would channel the group's energies from inculcating violence and institutionalized barbarity to the realization of their true mandate," he said. The senator said a provision which will penalize riots and fraternity rumbles, not only hazing or initiation rites, should also be included in the law. "An amendment should be made to penalize the planning and execution of fraternity rumbles and riots," Villar said. - Amita Legaspi, GMANews.TV
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