SENATOR Bam Aquino described the rising incidence of bullying—both in schools and online—as a crisis, warning that it threatens the safety, well-being, and learning of Filipino students.

During a hearing of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, which he chairs, Aquino said the prevalence of bullying has earned the Philippines the “Bullying Capital of the World” tag.

“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, about 50 percent of Grade 5 students in the Philippines experienced bullying at least once a month as of 2024. Meanwhile, Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) data shows that one in three Filipino students report being bullied in school, with repeated incidents reported by 43 percent of girls and 53 percent of boys 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 stems not only from his role as a lawmaker but also from his role as a father who wants to ensure that his children 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 aims to explore reforms to strengthen student protection, amid worries that schools are increasingly becoming spaces of fear rather than safe environments for learning and growth.

Citing the Second Congressional Commission on Education, Aquino noted that bullying is linked to lower literacy levels, poor academic performance, and higher absenteeism—factors that can have lasting effects on 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.