The Department of Justice (DOJ) is set to release a department order next week that will allow victims of bullying involving minors and their families to seek assistance from government offices beyond schools and law enforcement agencies.
During a press conference on Thursday, DOJ Undersecretary Ian Norman Dato said the directive aims to strengthen the government’s response to bullying cases, particularly as classes have already resumed nationwide.
Under the upcoming department order, local prosecution offices and the DOJ Action Center will be authorized to receive complaints and reports related to bullying incidents involving minors.
Dato said the measure will serve as an additional mechanism for victims and their families who feel that their concerns are not being properly addressed through existing channels.
“Yung mandate ni secretary is to address and focus bullying on minors, so all forms of bullying against minor whether digital, cyber and actual, sakop po ito ng department order,” Dato said.
He emphasized that victims should not feel that they have no one to approach for help.
“Ang kailangan lang po ay hindi nila maramdaman na wala silang matakbuhan, malapitan, or madulugan. So it's a mechanism, additional mechanism ng government,” he added.
Dato clarified that schools will continue to have primary jurisdiction over bullying cases under the Anti-Bullying Act or Republic Act No. 10627, but the DOJ can step in when victims feel their complaints have not been sufficiently addressed.
Under the order, local prosecution offices may assess complaints, facilitate intervention, refer cases to schools or the Women and Children Protection Desk of the Philippine National Police (PNP), or accept and elevate complaints for case build-up if necessary.
“May primary jurisdiction talaga ang eskwelahan, pero kung nakukulangan, ramdam ng biktima na hindi sila napapakinggan ng sapat, nandyan naman po yung Kagawaran ng Katarungan para malapitan,” Dato said.
The DOJ said the new policy aims to ensure that minors experiencing bullying, whether physical, digital, cyber, or other forms, have additional avenues for protection and legal assistance.
