MANILA — The House of Representatives has started deliberations on a proposed Teacher Protection Bill that seeks to strengthen protections for educators against harassment, intimidation, threats, and other forms of abuse related to the performance of their duties.

During a hearing of the House Committee on Basic Education and Culture chaired by EDCOM 2 Co-Chairperson Rep. Roman Romulo, lawmakers said the measure aims to respond to concerns from teachers who are increasingly facing complaints, social media attacks, and legal disputes, often without sufficient institutional support.

The Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) noted that while the proposed legislation seeks to shield teachers from harassment and unfounded accusations, it does not specifically address issues arising from interactions between parents, guardians, and educators.

Citing a 2025 study by Galfo and Canoy, EDCOM 2 identified verbal abuse from parents, legal threats and complaints, and social media harassment as the most commonly reported forms of parental aggression experienced by teachers.

The commission also observed that disputes between parents and teachers often stem from misunderstandings about school policies, differing expectations regarding teacher performance, and limited understanding of the demands of the teaching profession.

According to EDCOM 2, some teachers have become reluctant to impose discipline because of concerns that disagreements with parents could escalate into complaints or other conflicts. It also pointed out that existing support mechanisms may be inadequate in some situations, leaving educators to manage disputes largely on their own.

Representatives from the Office of the Solicitor General and the Public Attorney’s Office expressed support for the measure but said several provisions may need further refinement to prevent unintended consequences.

Department of Education Undersecretary Wilfredo Cabral stressed that any law designed to protect teachers should remain aligned with existing child protection policies and should not curtail the rights of children and parents to seek remedies through proper channels.

The Council for the Welfare of Children and the Civil Service Commission likewise raised technical concerns regarding how the proposed bill would interact with current laws, including child protection measures, administrative disciplinary procedures, and civil liabilities and complaints.

“The purpose of this measure is not to make teachers immune from accountability. We need to make sure na mayroon silang due process at sapat na proteksyon laban sa harassment at mga baseless accusations habang ginagampanan nila ang kanilang professional duties,” Romulo said.

“Magkasabay dapat ang accountability at child protection mechanisms para hindi maapektuhan ang pagrereport ng mga legitimate concerns. Protection plus accountability,” he added.

Throughout the hearing, committee members recognized broad support for the bill’s objective of protecting teachers from harassment, intimidation, and abuse while preserving accountability mechanisms and the rights of learners.

Following the discussions, the committee agreed to refer the proposed Teacher Protection Bill to a Technical Working Group for further review and refinement before it is taken up again for consideration.