Quick facts to know about Anti-Bullying Act of 2013

With the recent controversy regarding an alleged bullying incident involving an Ateneo de Manila University-Junior High School student that was caught on video, the public is reminded of an existing law against bullying.

Republic Act 10627 or the Anti-Bullying Act of 2013, signed by then-President Benigno Aquino III, mandates all elementary and secondary schools to adopt policies to prevent and address the acts of bullying in their institutions.

The law defines bullying as "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.

Acts considered as bullying include:

• Unwanted physical contact
• Any act that causes damage to a victim's psyche and/or emotional well-being
• slander
• cyber-bullying

Under the law, school administrators who fail to comply may face administrative sanctions. Private schools, on the other hand, may lose their permit to operate. —KBK, GMA News