Senators slam ‘reactionary’ school response to bullyingHigh school students are seen waiting in line, catching up with their friends and classmates and enjoying their time in front of the Marikina High School in Marikina City after two years of online classes on November 2, 2022. MANILA, Philippines — Senators criticized yesterday the Department of Education (DepEd) and public schools for responding to bullying incidents only after videos of the attacks go viral on social media. During a Senate committee on basic education hearing on rising bullying cases nationwide, lawmakers scrutinized a Feb. 18 school violence incident in Narvacan, Ilocos Sur. He cited the case of a student with disability who died after jumping from the fourth floor of a high school in Metro Manila, allegedly due to bullying. Lawmakers noted that Congress has held several hearings on bullying in recent years, but institutions continue to struggle to deter violence in schools.

Source: Philippine Star March 16, 2026 16:35 UTC