Senator Paolo "Bam" Aquino IV stressed on Monday, March 16, the need for better and immediate reporting of bullying cases in schools amid data showing that incidents are being underreported, with zero cases historically cited as a sign of good performance.

The issue was raised during the hearing of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, where data from the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) showed that bullying cases remain underreported as the Department of Education (DepEd) faces a severe lack of guidance counselors in public schools.

"If bullying is penalized, there are three possible sanctions: reprimand, suspension, and expulsion. If cases are underreported, then the bullies also face no penalty. If it is not reported, there will be no consequences for them," Aquino said.

The senator, who chairs the panel, noted that the prevalence of bullying has earned the Philippines the tag of "Bullying Capital of the World." According to the Southeast Asia Primary Learning Metrics (SEA-PLM), around 50% of Grade 5 students in the Philippines experienced bullying at least once a month as of 2024. Data from the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) further shows that one in three Filipino students report experiencing bullying in school, with about 43 percent of girls and 53 percent of boys reporting repeated incidents within a month.

Aquino also cited findings from EDCOM linking bullying to lower literacy levels, poorer academic performance, and higher rates of absenteeism, all of which can lead to lasting trauma among students.

A viral bullying incident in Narvacan, Ilocos Sur was also raised during the hearing, in which a female student was pushed, struck with a backpack, kicked, and punched in the head until she was left crying. The incident reportedly occurred during lunch break and was only discovered three days after it happened, when footage spread on social media.

The Department of Education Region 1 said it is now studying the possible filing of administrative cases against the school head and teachers involved. The regional director noted the negligence of school officials, citing their policy that a bullying case must be reported at least three hours after discovery.

Senator Erwin Tulfo called on DepEd and relevant authorities, including the police and local social welfare offices, to stop relying on reactionary measures and instead adopt a proactive approach to curbing school bullying. He also pointed out that under the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Anti-Bullying Law, a complaint is required before an investigation can begin, and pushed for an easier, anonymous reporting system accessible to students.

Atty. Razzel Requesto, Officer-in-Charge of DepEd's Bureau of Learner Support Services-Youth Formation Division, clarified that existing IRR provisions allow bystander reports and permit teachers to initiate preliminary fact-finding steps without waiting for a formal complaint. She also said that over the past five months, DepEd has observed an increasing trend in bullying reports following a new department order encouraging disclosure.

Senator Raffy Tulfo, meanwhile, made several recommendations to strengthen the implementation of the Anti-Bullying Act of 2013. These include stricter penalties for schools that fail to act, installation of CCTV cameras in all classrooms, mandatory training and seminars for teachers and parents, mandatory counseling and psychological support, strengthening of Good Manners and Right Conduct (GMRC) education, increased school security through a Memorandum of Agreement between DepEd and the Department of the Interior and Local Government for roving police officers, and an effective anonymous reporting system for students.

Senator Win Gatchalian also flagged the shortage of guidance counselors nationwide and recommended that administrative sanctions be imposed on schools without functional Child Protection Committees. He also cited CCTV cameras in common areas and school entrances as a proven deterrent, noting that schools with cameras showed significantly lower bullying incidents.

For 2026, the government has allocated Php2.9 billion for a school-based mental health program and an additional Php2 billion to hire 10,000 school counselor associates nationwide.

Aquino closed by warning that if the Philippines remains the bullying capital by next year, it would mean the government has failed its children, and called for all preventive measures to be scaled up without delay.