PAO chief calls for abolition of fraternities involved in hazing deaths

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 2) — The government should put an end to fraternities that practice deadly welcoming rites, the chief public attorney said.

Persida Acosta revealed during a briefing on Thursday another case linking controversial Tau Gamma Phi, the same fraternity involved in the death of an Adamson student in February, to another recent fraternity-related death.

READ: Adamson confirms death of missing student

She said 20-year-old Ronnel Baguio, a student of a university in Cebu province, also suffered the same fate in December 2022 under the hands of Tau Gamma Phi members.

“Ang i-abolish ‘yung fraternities na pumapatay at nakapatay, automatically terminated ang registration sa SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission),” Acosta said.

[Translation: They should abolish those fraternities that have a history of killing. Their registration with the SEC should be automatically terminated.]

“Kung ang batas ay obsolete na, dapat naa-amend. Pwedeng mag-form ng association na friendly, promotes brotherhood, not murder or homicide,” she added.

[Translation: If the law is obsolete, it should be amended. You can form an association that is friendly, and promotes brotherhood, not murder or homicide.]

Deputy Minority leader Rep. Bernadette Herrera-Dy, co-author of the Anti-Hazing Act, meanwhile, said she was against banning fraternities.

“We cannot generalize that all other organizations are bad because just one fraternity violated the anti-hazing law because there are a lot of fraternities and sororities who really contribute to the welfare of our country,” she told CNN Philippines’ New Day.

Dy said members, including alumni of the organizations, have a shared responsibility to make sure that the groups obey the law.

Former Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Alfredo Garbin, also one of the authors of the anti-hazing law, said while he was shocked by the news involving Tau Gamma Phi, every Filipino has the right to associate themselves under the Constitution.

“Therefore, we cannot just say they should be banned,” he also told CNN Philippines.

As an alumnus of the fraternity, he said the group “never felt short of reminding them that hazing is highly punishable.”

Garbin also said schools have the responsibility law to inform students about the law.

He called on fraternities, sororities, and schools to be reminded of possible consequences once they violate the law.