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[av_heading heading=’ Life imprisonment against hazing pushed ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY ADRIAN STEWART CO
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MANILA – Violators of the law regulating hazing will face stiffer penalties – including life imprisonment – based on the bill the House of Representatives justice committee approved yesterday.
House Bill No. 3467 seeks a P1-million fine and 20 years to life imprisonment for anyone involved in hazing rites that result in death, mutilation, sodomy, rape, and serious psychological effects.
The measure largely aims to remove hazing rites in student and community organizations, including fraternities and sororities, said Rep. Bernadette Herrera-Dy (Bagong Henerasyon), author of the bill.
“Even if the penal provisions in the anti-hazing law were increased, it would still be up to the court’s discretion to punish members who may also be students with a future,” Herrera-Dy said.
“We’re also punishing students who made a mistake,” she added. “Pwede pa silang magbago. Hindi naman premeditated or intentional murder iyong deaths caused by hazing rites.”
The House justice committee’s push for stiffer penalties against hazing came in light of the death of University of Santo Tomas law student Horacio Castillo III due to hazing under the Aegis Jvris fraternity.
“While the old hazing law seeks to regulate hazing, this bill seeks to prohibit the rite entirely,” Herrera-Dy said. “It also seeks to expand the prohibition on physical and psychological injuries to include community organizations.”
Moreover, the measure requires fraternities or sororities to register with schools or local government units, and school groups to be supervised by a faculty adviser, the representative said./PN
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