Enrile urges lawmakers to revisit anti-bullying law
Former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said the anti-bullying law or the Republic Act No. 10627 should be reviewed and amended to have more teeth in dealing with future instances of bullying.
Enrile made the statement in light of the news that Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) dismissed a junior high school student seen beating up another student in a viral video.
“Obviously, there is a need to revisit Republic Act No. 10627 (anti-bullying law),” Enrile said.
READ: Ateneo kicks out bully student after ‘thorough investigation’
Enrile, who is seeking a Senate comeback in the 2019 polls, said he will push for a thorough consideration of the facts of the Ateneo bullying case to lay the groundwork for possible amendments.
“First, I have to restudy the present law. Second, I have to study the facts of each of the incidents that so far happened violating the law. Third, I have to hear the concerned parties,” he said.
Only then will I be able to craft the necessary amendatory legislation,” he added.
The 94-year-old politician also said that Ateneo’s efforts in preventing the further spread of the viral video will not be effective as it would “seriously curtail the freedom” of the people to inform and be informed.
“I do not think the desire of Ateneo de Manila to stop the spread of the video will fly. That would seriously curtail the freedom of the people to inform and to be informed,” he said.
In an earlier statement, Enrile shared that he was also a victim of bullying when he was in his second year in high school.
“To the young people: learn to exercise charity to your neighbors, especially the weak and needy. Do not use your gift from God — your keen mind, your physical strength, your affluence, your power, or whatever to take advantage or dominate others,” Enrile said, addressing the youth. /ee
READ: Ateneo probes bullying incident in junior high school
READ: Ateneo bully videos spark outrage
READ: Ateneo vows to kick out student if found guilty of bullying
