It shall be compulsory for every parent or guardian or other persons having custody of a

child to enroll such child in basic education, irrespective of learning delivery modes and systems,
until its completion, as provided for by existing laws, rules and regulations.[1] School is said to be the
second home of the students which follows that teachers are the second parents. Philippine schools
evidently hone the best students to the extent of what they can be in preparation for their future. In
schools, it is always a set-up of a ‘meet and greet’ among people who are a stranger, a friend or
blood-related family. Every child’s happiness is seeing other children who may be his or her
playmate, or a brother or sister. Contrary, a child cannot tell and guarantee that every student he or
she meets will be a friend or not. Those people who may not be called friends can ruin every child’s
reputation, dignity and self-esteem. One form is “bullying.”

Will bullying be just a topic around the society or will it be stopped?

I. The Bullying Tactics.

A. Bullying defined.
It is an abuse or mistreatment of someone vulnerable by someone stranger, more powerful,
etc.; an action or behavior of a bully.[2] Bullying is the use of force, coercion, or threat, to abuse,
aggressively dominate or intimidate. One essential prerequisite is the perception (by the bully or by
others) of an imbalance of physical or social power. [3] It refers to any severe, or repeated use by one
or more students of a written, verbal or electronic expression, or a physical act or gesture, or any
combination thereof, directed at another student that has the effect of actually causing or placing the
latter in reasonable fear of physical or emotional harm or damage to his property; creating a hostile
environment at school for the other student; infringing on the rights of another student at school; or
materially and substantially disrupting the education process or the orderly operation of a school. [4]

B. Common Forms of Bullying:[5]

1. Calling names with the express purpose of humiliating, embarrassing a student , or otherwise
cause trouble.
2. Rudeness and Intimidation. These may be done through unwanted physical acts but may also
be carried through non-verbal means. A mean look or stare is an example of a non-verbal
bullying.
3. Threats and Extortion. Creating fear and extorting money, food or possessions from other
students. Threatening texts or messages in chat rooms and social media sites are included in this
form.
4. Malicious gossip and exclusion from the group. Circulating gossip or damaging stories that
tends to discriminate, exclude, and hate another student.

II. The Bullying Incident and Aftermath

A video has gone viral in social media on the latter part of 2018 showing the bullying
incident that happened in Ateneo de Manila University. The incident specifically happened inside the
bathroom of the School where the bully attacked the taller student to choose between getting
beating or dignity. In another viral video, the same student forced his peer for being dumb and to
kiss the bully’s shoes so the latter will not get a beating from him.[6]

1. Republic Act No. 10533 (2013), https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2013/09/04/irr-republic-act-no-10533 (last

visited September 8, 2019)
2. Online Merriam-Webster Dictionary, Available at https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bullying (last visited
September 8, 2019)
3. Bullying, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bullying#cite_note-1 (last visited September 8, 2019)
4. Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 10627 (2013),
https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2013/12/13/implementing-rules-and-regulations-of-republic-act-no-10627 (last
visited September 8, 2019)
5. Ateneo de Manila Junior High School Anti-Bullying Policy, Available at www.ateneo.edu (last visited September 8,
2019)
6. “Ateneo ‘bully’ claims self-defense as mom says sorry”, Philippine Star, January 10, 2019, Available at
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2019/01/10/1883910/ateneo-bully-claims-self-defense-mom-says-sorry (last
visited September 8, 2019)
 The Department of Education reminded both Public and Private schools, kindergarten,
elementary and secondary level to review and align their protocols for bullying cases with the Anti-
Bullying law. In 2012, the department ordered creation of a Child Protection Committee in all public
and private educational institutions. The Ateneo, as well as the Philippine Taekwondo Association
launched their own investigation. The President of Ateneo de Manila University, Fr. Jose Ramon
“Jett” Villarin said that they already met both parties in the incident and underscored that the School
does not condone this misbehavior.[7] "The school is not silent on its stand on violence and it will
not hesitate to impose the penalty of dismissal or even expulsion in cases of grave misconduct," he
added.[8]

After thorough investigation involving all concerned parties, in an interview with ADMU
President, the university administration decided to dismiss the student. “The decision of the
administration is to impose the penalty of dismissal on the student caught bullying another student
in the comfort room of the school,” “This means that he is no longer allowed to come back to
Ateneo,” He said.[9]
III. Minding the Gap

The bully incident was called upon by Senator Grace Poe to revisit the Anti-Bullying Law
and amend it to close gaps, especially the role of the schools in dealing with bullies. [10] To add,
Senator Poe said that the controversy at Ateneo showed the need to strengthen the Anti-Bullying
Act of 2013.

It was noted that private schools that fail to comply with the requirements of R.A 10627 or
of the IRR may face penalties provided by the law. The Implementing Rules and Regulations of the
Anti-Bullying Act of 2013 (RA 10627) requires all public and private schools to submit a copy of
their child protection or anti-bulllying policy to the division office.

IV. Conclusion

The author seeks for strict investigation due process regarding the cases of bullying. This is
not only among the students that might experience such act but also all those who may be involved
whether be it in form of physical or cyber-bullying.

This research is for the purpose that every child needs strict guidance and protect from their
parents and guardians whom his or her custody has its. The school is said to be the second home of
the students, however, it is still the primary responsibility of the parents to mold and nourish the
wholeness of the child.

8. Ateneo officials meet with both parties involved in bullying, GMA News Online, December 21, 2018, Available at
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/metro/679061/ateneo-officials-meet-with-both-parties-involved-in-
bullying/story (last visited September 8, 2019)
9. Ibid.
10. Ateneo kicks out bully in videos, Inquirer.Net, December 24, 2018, Available at
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1065933/ateneo-kicks-out-bully-in-videos (last visited September 8, 2019)