Senator Erwin Tulfo on Wednesday urged the Senate to review and strengthen the country’s anti-bullying law, citing persistent cases of harassment and intimidation in schools more than a decade after the law was passed.

In a privilege speech delivered during plenary session, Tulfo said bullying remains a “silent but deep wound” in the Philippine education system despite the passage of Republic Act No. 10627 or the Anti-Bullying Act of 2013.

Tulfo said the law was intended to ensure that every Filipino child could attend school with dignity, safety, and respect.

He said lawmakers must now assess whether the existing law is being effectively implemented.

“Malimit akong nakakatanggap ng reklamo mula sa mga magulang, at mismong mga estudyante na pare-pareho, Ginoong Pangulo, ang reklamo… tinutukso, pinagtatawanan, at minamaliit dahil lamang sa kanilang pisikal na anyo o kalagayan sa buhay,” Tulfo said.

He said many students are bullied because of their physical appearance, health condition, or socioeconomic background. Some children who are mocked for being undernourished, overweight, or poor.

“Ang ganitong pangungutya ay hindi simpleng biro lamang. Ito ay sugat na unti-unting sumisira sa kumpiyansa, dignidad, at pangarap po ng isang bata,” he added.

Tulfo said schools should serve as safe spaces for children. However, for some students, the classroom has instead become a place of fear and humiliation.

He noted that the Department of Education (DepEd) itself has acknowledged the need to strengthen anti-bullying efforts.

In DepEd Memorandum No. 090, series of 2025, the agency directed the wider dissemination and implementation of the revised implementing rules and regulations of the Anti-Bullying Act.

Despite these efforts, Tulfo said bullying incidents continue to be reported in schools each year.

He also cited the evolving forms of bullying, particularly in the digital age, where harassment can extend beyond the classroom through social media and messaging platforms.

“Ang bullying ngayon, Ginoong Pangulo, ay hindi na lamang nangyayari sa silid-aralan—nangyayari na rin ito sa mga cellphone, sa chat, at sa social media,” Tulfo said, warning that such harassment has pushed some young people to take their own lives.

Tulfo also pointed to several gaps in the current law, including weak accountability mechanisms for schools that fail to enforce anti-bullying policies.

He also cited a lack of guidance counselors and mental health professionals and the absence of a comprehensive national monitoring system for bullying cases.

Without reliable data, he said, it becomes difficult for policymakers to craft effective solutions.

To address these gaps, Tulfo proposed reviewing the Anti-Bullying Act to strengthen enforcement and clarify accountability.

He suggested imposing stricter disciplinary measures against repeat offenders.

For a first offense, a student found guilty of bullying could face immediate suspension along with mandatory counseling and intervention programs.

For a second offense, particularly if it involves physical harm or serious injury, Tulfo said lawmakers could consider stronger penalties such as expulsion.

“Hindi po natin layuning sirain ang kinabukasan ng batang nang-bully, ngunit hindi rin natin maaaring pabayaan ang batang paulit-ulit na nagiging biktima nito,” he said.

Tulfo also stressed the importance of empowering teachers, guidance counselors, and school administrators to identify and address bullying incidents promptly.

“Sa ngalan po ng mga batang tahimik na nasasaktan sa loob ng ating mga silid-aralan… repasuhin na natin ang Anti-Bullying Act, palakasin po natin ang mga probisyon nito, at tiyakin natin na ang bawat silid-aralan sa Pilipinas ay tunay na ligtas para sa bawat batang Pilipino,” Tulfo said.

-Paraluman News