A sub-committee in the House of Representatives has vowed to try and invite politicians and high-ranking government officials in the next meeting of the technical working group or TWG tasked to consolidate hazing-related bills filed in the House of Representatives.

Valenzuela City Congressman Sherwin “Win” Gatchalian, who leads a TWG under House Committee on Revision of Laws, said there is “no harm in inviting known people” from fraternities like Vice President Jejomar Binay and Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto.

“We will try to look for the contact numbers of the (high-profile) members of these fraternities. I hope our friends from the police can help us in getting touch of these groups,” Gatchalian said in a sub-committee hearing on September 3.

Gatchalian made the remark after Aurelio Servando, the father of hazing victim and De La Salle-College of St. Benilde student Guillo Servando, requested the panel to invite Binay and Recto.

Servando said the input of these politicians on the proposed anti-hazing measures will be very important since their experience and knowledge on the traditions and activities of their organizations.

He added the government needs the comment of high-ranking officers of these groups because they would be the sector that will be most affected in case a new anti-hazing law is passed.

“These politicians are familiar with the government and the way fraternities work. Alam nila ang loob at labas, and it gives them a better idea when it comes to regulating these establishment,” said Servando.

“Dapat makausap natin ang mga pulitiko na kasama sa frat at mga opisyal ng mga fraternity at sorority dahil sila ang pinaka-concern sa pagbabawal ng hazing, mapasa man o hindi ang panukalang batas na ito,” Servando told the TWG.

Binay is a member of Alpha Phi Omega (APO) while Recto is a member of Tau Gamma Phi (TGP), which is the same fraternity that conducted the initiation rites that killed Servando’s son in a Makati City condominium last June 28.

Servando clarified that he is not against any fraternities, sororities or organization, saying that he is only against violent initiation acts.

The members of TWG then accepted the request of Servando, saying that they will try to get call on the attention of these politicians and high-ranking members of these organizations.

The TWG is expected to conduct its next deliberations after September 18 to give way to the position paper of the Department of Justice (DoJ) and Philippine National Police (PNP). (Tim Alcantara)