CBCP president calls for stop to bullying as classes begin

As classes started on Monday, the head of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines advised pupils and students to stop the incidence of bullying.

 

CBCP president and Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma said students should not resort to bullying just to be part of the “in” crowd, radio dzBB reported Monday.

 

The dzBB report quoted Palma as saying bullying is un-Christian and not acceptable, adding students should concentrate on their studies instead of picking on others.

 

He also urged students to think twice before joining fraternities and sororities, especially those linked to hazing.

 

Meanwhile, the Senate education committee is inclined to pass a measure against bullying when it resumes session this Wednesday, radio dzBB's Nimfa Ravelo reported.

 

The report said the Senate is inclined to support House Bill 5496 and a counterpart bill by Sen. Miriam Santiago pushing for school policies against bullying.

 

Actress and parenting expert Maricel Laxa-Pangilinan has said in a seminar last year that bullying involves the use of force or coercion without another’s permission. 
 

“It’s about the receiver—the recipient feels some kind of stress, tension or persuasion. It consists of verbal, physical, emotional abuse, and occurs in a variety of contexts—face-to-face, texts, even the Internet.” More importantly, she added, it happens to anyone, rich or poor.

 

Laxa-Pangilinan said parents should partner with their child's school in overcoming the bullying problem. —KG, GMA News