De Lima bats for review of Anti-Hazing Law

From the Manila Standard Today.

JUSTICE Secretary Leila de Lima wants a review of the country’s anti-hazing law following the death of a law freshman of the San Beda College of Law allegedly at the hands of her fraternity brothers in Lambda Rho Beta during during initiation rites.

De Lima said that despite the law, fraternity hazing is still practiced, often with fatal consequences as with the tragic death of 25-year-old Marvin Reglos who was subjected to hazing during initiation rites of Lambda Rho Beta fraternity based in San Beda College.

De Lima founded the Lambda Rho Sigma sorority of San Beda College, the counterpart of Lambda Rho Beta.

Reglos’ death also came after the Supreme Court handed down its ruling on the case of Lenny Villa, an Ateneo Law School student who died in February 1991 during initiation rites conducted by members of the Aquila Legis fraternity.

“It’s very unfortunate. Have we not learned our lessons from those past tragedies? There is a need to take a second look at the regulation on these fraternities,” De Lima lamented.

She strongly believed that Republic Act 8049, or the Anti-Hazing Act, should be given more teeth by Congress for it to be an effective deterrence to killings in initiation rites.

“I think it’s high time to review command responsibility on leaders of fraternity on conduct of initiation rites under the anti-hazing act,” De Lima said.

Earlier this week, the Justice secretary personally assured the victim’s family that she would pursue justice for Reglos and prosecute her fraternity brothers or brods if they are found to have been involved.

De Lima has already summoned the leaders of Lambda Rho Beta to shed light on the fraternity’s alleged involvement.

Seriously, when are these stupid people going to stop this hazing? How will hazing actually make them loyal brothers in their fraternity other than to teach them that they should do the same to new members? What is the point of these senseless violence?