House OKs anti-hazing bill

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading a measure seeking to declare hazing by school fraternities a crime and providing stiff penalties for those found guilty of the offense. 

House Bill 6573 or the Anti-Hazing Act prohibits hazing and regulates other forms of initiation rites of fraternities, sororities and other groups.

The measure was approved by administration and opposition lawmakers on Monday night.

Among the authors of the bill are Representatives Bernadette Herrera-Dy of Bagong Henerasyon party-list, Rozzano Rufino Biazon of Muntinlupa, Christopher de Venecia of Pangasinan and Ricardo Belmonte of party-list Serbisyo ng Bayan.