Senator Aquino warns of ‘bullying crisis’ in Philippine schools

Senator Bam Aquino on Monday described the rising incidence of bullying among students—both in schools and online—as a “crisis,” stressing the urgent need for stronger action and protection to safeguard the safety, well-being, and learning of Filipino children.

During a hearing of the Senate Committee on Basic Education which he chairs, Aquino warned that the prevalence of bullying has become so widespread that the Philippines has earned the label “Bullying Capital of the World.”

“Mayroon pong krisis sa pambu-bully sa ilang mga eskuwelahan sa ating bansa,” he said, citing studies showing that bullying remains widespread among Filipino students.

According to the Southeast Asia Primary Learning Metrics (SEA-PLM), about 50 percent of Grade 5 students in the Philippines experienced bullying at least once a month as of 2024.

Meanwhile, data from the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 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.

“Ang bullying po na ito ay hindi lang pisikal, o panlalait na harap-harapan. Kasama rin po ang pambu-bully online o sa social media. Hindi na natatapos ang pambu-bully sa loob ng paaralan at ang pakiramdam po ng maraming kabataan, parang walang matatakbuhan,” he pointed out.

Aquino said his concern goes beyond his role as a lawmaker, noting that he also speaks as a father who wants his children—and all Filipino students—to grow up in a safe environment for learning.

“Nang ipanganak ang aking panganay, ipinangako ko sa kanya na poprotektahan ko siya at gagawin ang lahat upang magkaroon siya ng mga magagandang pagkakataon sa kanyang buhay. Naniniwala rin ako na ito rin ang pangarap at pangako ng mga magulang sa kanilang mga anak,” Aquino said during the committee hearing, referring to his daughter, Rory.

The hearing also sought to determine the scope of bullying incidents in schools and explore possible reforms to strengthen protection for students, amid concerns that some schools are becoming places where students feel fear rather than as safe spaces that nurture learning and growth.

“Isinasagawa po natin ang pagdinig na ito dahil nagmumula ako sa isang lugar ng matinding pag-aalala—na ang ating mga paaralan at iba pang pampublikong lugar ay unti-unting nagiging pugad ng pambu-bully. Sa halip na pagyamanin ang pagkatuto, inobasyon, at empatiya, ang ating mga paaralan ay posibleng nagiging espasyo ng takot,” he stressed.

Aquino also cited findings from the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM), which link bullying to lower literacy levels, poorer academic performance, and higher rates of absenteeism—factors that can lead to lasting trauma among students.

“Kapag ang ating mga anak ay binu-bully, bumubuo po tayo ng isang henerasyong puno ng trauma. Sa halip na yakapin ang pag-aaral, natatakot ang mga kabataan sa mismong espasyo ng pagkatuto,” Aquino stressed.

“Bilang isang ama at bilang Pilipino, ninanais po natin ang isang mundong mapayapa at ligtas sa karahasan para sa mga kabataan. Nagsisimula po ito sa bahay pero siyempre po sa paaralan kung saan ito ang second home ng maraming kabataan. Ang lugar pong ito ay dapat safe space, ay dapat po mapayapa para sa mga estudyante, para sa mga guro, at para po sa lahat ng nais mag-aral sa ating sistemang pang-edukasyon sa ating bansa,” he added.