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President Rodrigo Duterte signed RA 11053 or The Anti-Hazing Act of 2018.

RA 11053 is an act prohibiting hazing and regulating other forms of initiation rites of fraternities, sororities, and other organizations.

This new law amends RA 8049 or the Anti Hazing Act.

Republic Act 11053 or the Anti-Hazing Act of 2018 gives teeth to the previous 1995 version of the law as it now outrightly prohibits and makes hazing a criminal act while providing more substantial penalties for those who will be proven guilty.


What are the salient features of the new law, RA 11053?

1. The new law imposes penalties such as reclusion perpetua and up to P3 million in fines.

2. Under the new law, the definition of hazing has been expanded to include "physical or psychological suffering, harm or injury inflicted on a recruit, member, neophyte, or applicant" as a prerequisite for admission or for continued membership in an organization.

3. Banned under the law are "all forms of hazing" not only in fraternities, sororities or organizations in schools, but also those in communities and even businesses and uniformed service learning institutions.

4. The law also requires schools to be "more active and proactive" in regulating school-based initiation rites, with schools required to exercise reasonable supervision and take proactive steps to protect students from the danger of participating in activities that will involve hazing.

5. All members of the fraternity, sorority or organization who participated in unauthorized initiation rites, even if no hazing was conducted, shall be punished accordingly. Persons who had knowledge of any hazing acts committed but failed to report it to the authorities or those to be found guilty of hiding, concealing or hampering or obstructing investigation should be penalized.

Liabilities include:

* penalty of reclusion temporal and P1 million on the participating officer and members of the fraternity who were involved in the hazing
* reclusion perpetua and P2 million on members who actually participated in hazing when under the influence of alcohol or drugs; and on non-resident or alumni who participate in hazing
* reclusion perpetua and P3 million on those who participated in hazing that resulted in death, rape, sodomy, or mutilation * P1 million on the school if it approved an initiation of a fraternity, sorority or
organization where hazing occurred * prision correccional (six months to six years) on anyone who intimidates or threatens another for recruitment. This includes "persistent and repeated" proposals or invitations to those who refused to join at least twice.
* P1 million for former officers or alumni who try to hide or obstruct an investigation

If the offender is a member of the Bar, he or she shall be subject to disciplinary proceedings by the Supreme Court. If the offender is in another profession, he or she will be subject to regulation by the Professional Regulation Commission.

6. Senator Ping Lacson, a former PNP Chief sponsored this law.