Revised IRR of RA 10627 (Anti-Bullying Act of 2013)

This post presents a complete “study in toto” of the Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (Revised IRR) of Republic Act No. 10627, otherwise known as the Anti-Bullying Act of 2013 (signed 1 August 2025). It follows the IRR’s structure and translates the provisions into school-level operational meaning.

RULE I. GENERAL PROVISION

Section 1. Title

These rules and regulations are referred to as the Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (Revised IRR) of the “Anti-Bullying Act of 2013.”

Section 2. Scope and Coverage

Unless otherwise specifically provided, the IRR applies to all public and private basic education schools and Community Learning Centers (CLCs), including DepEd-authorized/supervised institutions such as Philippine Schools Overseas and International Schools.

Section 3. Declaration of Policy

The State emphasizes that educational institutions must create safe, inclusive environments through comprehensive anti-bullying policies, with key aims that include:

Promoting safe learning environments free from bullying and violence and conducive to learning
Upholding children’s rights, including the right to express views and have them considered in matters affecting them
Developing character and social-emotional skills (e.g., empathy, kindness, respect, responsibility; constructive conflict resolution)
Fostering a positive school climate where every learner feels physically, emotionally, and socially secure

RULE II. DEFINITION OF TERMS

Section 4. Definition of Terms (Operational Highlights)

Bullying refers to severe or repeated use by one or more learners of written, verbal, or electronic expression, or a physical act or gesture (or any combination), directed at another learner that results in fear of harm, a hostile environment, infringement of rights, or disruption of the education process or orderly operation of a school.

The IRR recognizes multiple forms of bullying, including (but not limited to):

Physical bullying
Psychological/Emotional bullying
Verbal bullying
Cyberbullying
Social bullying
Gender-based bullying

Additional important roles and concepts include (among others):

Bystander: one who witnesses or has knowledge of bullying or retaliation
Upstander: one who intervenes or takes action to support the bullied learner
Retaliation: reprisal/intimidation/harassment against persons who report, witness, or provide information
Hostile environment: unwelcome/offensive behavior creating an intimidating or abusive atmosphere

Section 5. Adoption of Standard Anti-Bullying Policies

All public schools and CLCs must adopt and operationalize the standard anti-bullying policies to be cascaded by DepEd Central Office.
Schools Division Offices may align/contextualize implementation based on local context.
Private schools must adopt and operationalize policies that, at minimum, align with DepEd’s standard policy.

Section 5.1. Standard Anti-Bullying Policies in ALS

DepEd shall establish guidelines on standard anti-bullying policies applicable to ALS, addressing bullying that occurs within CLCs or other learning spaces.

Section 6. Minimum Provisions in the Standard Anti-Bullying Policy

The standard anti-bullying policy shall be updated every three (3) years and must include, at minimum:

School-wide prevention programs
Intervention programs for parties involved (including others affected)
Prohibited acts with clear definitions/examples
Range of disciplinary administrative sanctions considering the nature/gravity of the offense and appropriate interventions
Roles and responsibilities of school personnel, learners, and parents/parent substitutes
Clear procedures for information dissemination/orientation; reporting (including anonymous); prompt response and investigation; safety restoration; protection of reporters/witnesses; and provision of intervention such as counseling and other aid
Resources and referral pathways (including contact points)
Maintaining a public record of relevant information/statistics, with strict confidentiality rules on learners’ identities as provided in the IRR

Section 7. Inclusion in Handbook and Posting Requirement

The standard anti-bullying policies must be:

Incorporated in the student and employee handbook
Posted in at least three (3) conspicuous places on school premises
Posted on the school website/social media accounts, if applicable
Discussed during the opening of the school year at parents’ and learners’ orientation

Section 8. False Accusation of Bullying

If a learner is found, after investigation, to have knowingly made a false accusation of bullying, the learner may be subjected to disciplinary action or appropriate interventions in accordance with DepEd or private school rules.

RULE III. PROHIBITED ACTS

Section 9. Prohibited Acts

The following are prohibited:

All forms of bullying as defined in the IRR
Bullying at school grounds
Bullying at the property immediately adjacent to school grounds up to a two (2)-kilometer radius from the school
Bullying at school-sponsored or school-related activities, functions, or programs (on or off school grounds)
Bullying at school buses or other vehicles owned, leased, or used by a school, including at school bus stops
Bullying using technology/electronic devices owned, leased, or used by a school
Bullying outside school-related settings using non-school devices if it creates a hostile environment at school, infringes rights at school, or materially disrupts the education process or orderly operation of the school
Retaliation against reporters/witnesses/information providers

RULE IV. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Section 10. DepEd Responsibilities

Central Office (system-level)

DepEd Central Office is responsible for developing standards/frameworks, coordinating capability-building and program implementation, integrating prevention in relevant systems, providing technical assistance, maintaining monitoring and reporting mechanisms, and fulfilling system-level reporting obligations as provided in the IRR.

Regional Offices

Regional Offices provide technical assistance and monitoring support to SDOs and schools, encourage and support implementation of anti-bullying initiatives, and consolidate and submit required reports to DepEd Central Office.

Schools Division Offices

Division Offices designate focal persons, provide capability-building and information dissemination, establish clear reporting channels (including anonymous options), review school/CLC compliance, resolve appeals within the IRR’s appeal structure, maintain repositories, and submit required consolidated reports as provided in the IRR.

Section 11. Schools and CLCs (frontline duty)

Schools/CLCs must protect learners and take a proactive approach to behavior issues through prevention, intervention, and fair case handling.

Principal/School Head (key obligations)

Designate a Learner Formation Officer (LFO) (school counselor/counselor associate cannot be designated as LFO)
Adopt, implement, and oversee the anti-bullying policy
Ensure proper reporting, investigation, and resolution consistent with the school policy and the IRR
Ensure parents are informed when their children are involved
Coordinate actions when cases involve learners from more than one school
Take appropriate action including referrals when circumstances warrant, consistent with law and policy

School Counselor/School Counselor Associate

Support learners and strengthen school capacity through learning sessions and awareness programs
Ensure safety and well-being of involved learners, determine protection/intervention needs, and provide or facilitate supports
Refer cases to appropriate offices/agencies/organizations when needed and monitor progress after third-party interventions

Learner Formation Officer (LFO)

Provide learners and parents/parent-substitutes with a copy of the anti-bullying policy
Enable anonymous reporting with clear instructions (no disciplinary action solely on anonymous report)
Handle and resolve bullying complaints and cases while protecting the rights of all parties and maintaining confidentiality
Maintain public records/statistics consistent with confidentiality requirements
Render desk duty for at least two (2) hours a day for reporting and inquiries

Teaching and Non-Teaching Personnel

All teaching and non-teaching personnel must work collaboratively to prevent, report, and respond to bullying, including participation in mandated prevention and intervention measures, and timely reporting of incidents and precursors within school property and the IRR’s specified coverage area.

RULE V. RULES OF PROCEDURE

Section 12. Commencing Actions

A bullying action may be commenced by filing a complaint before the disciplining authority as provided in the school policy. This does not prejudice filing other actions under other applicable laws.

Section 13. Period to Decide

The disciplining body must investigate and resolve the complaint within thirty (30) days from filing.

Sections 14–16. Appeals

Appeal from school disciplining body to the Division Office
Division decision may be appealed to the Regional Office
Regional decision may be appealed to the Undersecretary for Legal and Legislative Affairs (by authority of the Secretary), consistent with the IRR

Section 17. No Motion for Reconsideration

No motion for reconsideration is entertained throughout the appeal process.

Section 18. Period to Appeal

An appeal must be filed within ten (10) days from receipt; otherwise the decision becomes final and executory.

RULE VI. PREVENTION AND INTERVENTION PROGRAMS

Section 19. Prevention Programs

Schools/CLCs must implement comprehensive prevention programs using a whole-school, multi-stakeholder approach, including classroom-based initiatives, school climate actions, periodic monitoring, capability-building for personnel, and meaningful parent involvement.

Section 20. Intervention Programs

Schools/CLCs must develop intervention programs to sustain anti-bullying policies. Intervention emphasizes corrective and formative measures (not purely punitive), consistent with child protection principles and positive/non-violent discipline, and may include counseling, life skills interventions, psychosocial supports, and referrals when needs exceed school capacity.

RULE VII. MECHANISMS AND PROCEDURES IN HANDLING BULLYING INCIDENTS

Section 21. Handling Incidents

Jurisdiction

Bullying complaints under the IRR fall within the primary jurisdiction of DepEd/private schools for investigation, sanctions, and interventions, without prejudice to other actions under other laws.

Minimum Due Process Requirements

Written notice of complaint to learners and parents/parent-substitute
Opportunity for alleged bully to answer in writing with parents’ assistance
Written decision by school head stating facts and reasons
Decision is appealable under the IRR

Levels of Discipline

The IRR provides for levels of discipline and response that consider severity, repetition, and risk. Schools must ensure appropriate documentation, referrals, and interventions aligned with the level and the school’s anti-bullying policy, with escalation as warranted.

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Confidentiality and Data Privacy

Information on identities and personal circumstances of involved parties must be treated with utmost confidentiality, consistent with the Data Privacy Act and related rules, and breaches may subject responsible school personnel to appropriate action as provided in the IRR.

Reportorial Requirements

Schools are required to submit annual reports and other required documents to the Division Office within the timelines provided in the IRR, including reporting within the first week of each school year covering the preceding school year’s cases and interventions.

Sanctions for Non-Compliance

The IRR provides consequences for failure to comply, including administrative accountability for public school personnel and possible administrative proceedings and regulatory actions for private schools, as provided in the IRR.

Repealing Clause and Effectivity

The IRR repeals DepEd Order No. 55, s. 2013 and takes effect after publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation and filing with the Office of the National Administrative Register at the UP Law Center, as stated in the IRR.

Official PDF Revised IRR of RA 10627 (Anti-Bullying Act of 2013) Click to open

Top Posts