Note: This is general legal information only and not a substitute for advice from a lawyer or social worker. Application of the law always depends on specific facts, and laws and regulations may change.

I. Overview: “Adult Bullying” as a Legal Concept

Philippine law does not use the exact phrase “adult bullying of minors” as a formal legal term.

However, the kinds of behavior people call “bullying” by adults against children are usually already punishable or addressable under a combination of:

Child protection laws
Criminal laws
Laws on violence in the home
Cybercrime and online child protection statutes
School and administrative rules

In practice, adult bullying of minors is usually legally framed as:

Child abuse (physical, emotional, or psychological)
Harassment or threats
Violence against women and their children (VAWC)
Gender-based harassment
Cybercrime (online harassment, cyberbullying, child sexual abuse/exploitation)
Torts/quasi-delicts (civil liability for damages)

A minor/child is generally a person below 18 years old under Philippine law.

An adult is generally a person 18 years old and above and with full legal capacity.

II. Key Laws That Cover Adult Bullying of Minors

1. RA 7610 – Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination

Republic Act No. 7610 is the core law protecting children from various forms of abuse.

Who is covered?

All children below 18, and those over 18 but unable to fully care for themselves due to disability or condition.

What acts may count as “bullying” under RA 7610? RA 7610 covers:

Physical abuse – hitting, slapping, kicking, excessive corporal punishment.
Emotional/psychological abuse – repeated verbal insults, humiliation, threats, intimidation, terrorizing, making a child feel worthless or constantly afraid.
Maltreatment or cruelty – any act or omission that debases, degrades, or demeans the intrinsic worth and dignity of a child as a human being.

Adult bullying that involves repeated humiliation, name-calling, threats, and harassment can amount to psychological abuse or cruelty under RA 7610, especially when it causes or is likely to cause emotional or psychological injury.

RA 7610 provides for higher penalties when:

The offender is a parent, guardian, teacher, person in authority, or a person having care or custody of the child.
The abuse occurs in schools, institutions, or similar settings.

Remedies under RA 7610:

Filing a criminal case against the adult offender.
Protective measures such as temporary custody of the child by DSWD or other suitable guardians.
Protective handling during investigation and trial (in-camera testimony, child-friendly procedures).

2. RA 10627 – The Anti-Bullying Act & DepEd Child Protection Policy

RA 10627 (Anti-Bullying Act of 2013) focuses mainly on bullying among students in schools. It requires schools to adopt anti-bullying policies, including acts done online that affect a student’s school environment.

While RA 10627 is student-to-student oriented, adult conduct in schools is addressed by:

DepEd Child Protection Policy (DepEd Order No. 40, s. 2012)

This policy defines:

Child abuse, violence, exploitation, corporal punishment, and bullying
Prohibited acts by school personnel, including:
- Verbal abuse, public humiliation, threats
- Physical punishment (e.g., hitting, pinching, excessive physical “discipline”)
- Psychological maltreatment and degrading treatment

Adult bullying of students by teachers, staff, or other school personnel can be:

Child abuse under RA 7610; and/or
A violation of DepEd rules, leading to administrative sanctions (reprimand, suspension, dismissal, etc.).

Every public school (and most private schools, following DepEd models) is required to have a Child Protection Committee (CPC) to receive reports, conduct investigations, and recommend action.

3. RA 9262 – Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children (VAWC)

RA 9262 covers acts of violence committed by:

A husband/former husband or
A person with whom the woman has or had a sexual or dating relationship, or
A person with whom the woman has a common child

against:

The woman, and/or
Her child (biological or under her care).

Adult bullying of a child inside the home or family setting can fall under VAWC if:

The offender fits the relationship covered by RA 9262 (e.g., father, stepfather, live-in partner of the mother); AND
The acts amount to physical, sexual, psychological, or economic abuse against the child.

“Psychological violence” under RA 9262 includes:

Verbal abuse
Constant criticism
Public humiliation
Harassment or stalking
Repeated acts that cause emotional suffering

Key remedies under RA 9262 for child victims:

Barangay Protection Order (BPO) – issued quickly by the Punong Barangay or Barangay Kagawad to stop the offender from committing or threatening further acts of violence.
Temporary Protection Order (TPO) and Permanent Protection Order (PPO) – issued by the courts with broader protective measures (stay-away orders, custody, support, etc.).
Criminal liability – penalties including imprisonment and fines.

The child typically acts through the mother or guardian, but the law recognizes the child as a direct victim.

4. RA 11313 – Safe Spaces Act (Bawal Bastos Law)

The Safe Spaces Act penalizes gender-based sexual harassment:

In streets and public spaces
In workplaces
In educational and training institutions
Online

Minors can be victims under this law. Adult bullying that takes the form of:

Catcalling, sexual comments
Unwanted sexual advances
Gender-based taunts and insults
Online sexual harassment

can be punished under RA 11313, with higher penalties when the victim is a minor and/or when the offender is a person in authority, like a teacher or coach.

LGUs are required to pass implementing ordinances, and schools must adopt internal procedures.

5. RA 10175 – Cybercrime Prevention Act & Related Laws

Adult online bullying of children is addressed by a mix of laws:

RA 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act) – punishes crimes such as:
- Cyberlibel
- Cyber threats and harassment
- Identity-related offenses
- Other crimes when committed through ICT (e.g., threats, coercion, online stalking)
RA 9775 (Anti-Child Pornography Act) – covers any form of sexualized depiction or exploitation of children, including coercing or luring a child to engage in sexually explicit conduct online.
RA 9995 (Anti-Photo and Video Voyeurism Act) – punishes the act of taking or distributing intimate photos/videos without consent, including of minors.

Adult bullying of minors online can involve:

Posting humiliating or defamatory content about a child
Threatening the child through messages, posts, or DMs
Spreading edited photos or videos to shame the child
Grooming the child for sexual purposes or exploitation

These may result in criminal cases under RA 10175 combined with other laws (RA 7610, RA 9775, RA 9995, or the Revised Penal Code).

6. Revised Penal Code (RPC) – Traditional Crimes

Even without special child laws, many acts of adult bullying are already crimes under the Revised Penal Code, such as:

Physical injuries – any unjustified physical harm
Grave or light threats – threatening the minors with harm, violence, or wrongdoing
Grave coercion – preventing a child from doing something not prohibited by law or compelling the child to do something against their will through violence, threats, or intimidation
Unjust vexation – annoying or harassing acts not covered by other crimes, but offensive and abusive
Oral defamation / slander by deed – insulting or degrading acts against a child’s honor and reputation
Acts of lasciviousness, rape, sexual assault – when “bullying” crosses into sexual abuse

If the offender is a person in authority or is entrusted with the child’s care (teacher, guardian, etc.), penalties are often higher or treated more strictly.

7. Local Ordinances and Special Regulations

Many cities and municipalities have:

Anti-bullying ordinances
Anti-discrimination and anti-harassment ordinances
Child protection ordinances

These can provide:

Administrative or local penalties (fines, community service)
Local mechanisms, e.g., Barangay Council for the Protection of Children (BCPC), hotlines, and reporting systems.

III. Remedies and Legal Pathways for Child Victims and Their Families

1. Immediate Protection and Reporting

If a minor is being bullied by an adult, especially with threats or physical harm:

Ensure immediate safety first. Remove the child from the dangerous environment if possible.
Report to authorities, such as:
- Barangay Hall – to the Punong Barangay, Barangay Tanod, or VAWC Desk
- PNP Women and Children Protection Desk (WCPD)
- NBI (for serious or online cases)
- DSWD or the municipal/city social welfare office
- School authorities (if school-related)

For teachers, doctors, social workers, and similar professionals, there is a duty of mandatory reporting of child abuse under RA 7610 and related implementing rules.

2. Barangay-Level Actions

At the barangay level, possible actions include:

Incident documentation – blotter entry describing the bullying acts.
Issuance of Barangay Protection Order (BPO) under RA 9262 (if applicable).
Referral to:
- Police, if the act is clearly criminal
- DSWD for case management and protection
- School Child Protection Committee

Note: For serious offenses like child abuse under RA 7610, compromise and settlement at the barangay are generally not allowed. These should go to proper authorities and courts.

3. Criminal Complaints

To pursue criminal remedies, the usual steps are:

Gather evidence (see Section VI below).
Go to the PNP WCPD, local police station, or NBI to execute:
- Sworn statements/affidavits of the child (with assistance) and witnesses
- Attach supporting evidence (photos, screenshots, messages, medical reports, school reports).
The case is referred to the Office of the City/Provincial Prosecutor for inquest (if the offender was arrested) or preliminary investigation (if not).
If probable cause is found, an Information is filed in court and a criminal case proceeds.

In cases involving children, special procedures apply:

Child-friendly interview rooms (when available)
Presence of social workers
Possible in-camera (closed-door) testimony
Avoidance of repeated re-traumatizing interviews

4. Protection Orders (Especially Under RA 9262)

If the adult bully is a family member or a person in a RA 9262 relationship, the child (often through the mother/guardian) may seek:

BPO at the barangay – quick, short-term relief.
TPO/PPO from the court – which can:
- Order the offender to stay away from the child
- Prohibit contact (in person or online)
- Grant temporary custody and support
- Enforce other measures deemed necessary for the child’s safety.

5. School and Administrative Remedies

If the adult bully is a teacher, administrator, coach, or staff:

Report to the school head (principal, dean) or any trusted teacher.
The Child Protection Committee conducts:
- Initial assessment
- Fact-finding or investigation
- Protective measures (e.g., separating teacher from the child during investigation)

Possible outcomes:

Administrative sanctions against the adult:
- Warning or reprimand
- Suspension
- Dismissal
- Referral to Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) (for licensed professionals)

These administrative cases are independent from criminal and civil cases.

6. Civil Remedies: Claims for Damages

Under the Civil Code, the child (through parents/guardians) may sue the adult bully for:

Actual damages – medical and psychological treatment costs, transport, etc.
Moral damages – for emotional distress, anxiety, humiliation, trauma.
Exemplary damages – to serve as a deterrent where the offender acted in a particularly oppressive manner.

Additionally, laws recognize special parental authority and responsibility of:

Parents and guardians
Heads of schools and teachers
Individuals entrusted with the child’s care

This means schools and institutions can sometimes be held subsidiarily or vicariously liable if they were negligent in preventing or responding to adult bullying by their personnel, or by others under their authority.

IV. Special Contexts of Adult Bullying of Minors

1. Bullying by Neighbors or Community Members

Examples:

An adult neighbor repeatedly shouting at a child, calling them degrading names, accusing them publicly of wrongdoing, threatening to hurt them, or humiliating them in public.

Possible legal frames:

RA 7610 – psychological abuse/cruelty if the pattern of harassment causes or is likely to cause emotional harm.
RPC crimes – threats, unjust vexation, defamation.
Local ordinances – if the LGU has specific anti-bullying or harassment ordinances.

Remedies:

Barangay blotter, possible barangay mediation for minor cases (if not covered by RA 7610 or similar special laws)
Criminal complaints if the bullying is serious and repeated
Civil claims if the child suffers demonstrable injury.

2. Bullying by Teachers or School Personnel

Forms include:

Publicly insulting or humiliating a student
Repeatedly calling a child “stupid,” “worthless,” or similar terms
Posting about the child on social media to shame them
Excessive or degrading punishment in class

Legal consequences:

RA 7610 – child abuse (psychological or physical)
DepEd rules – administrative liability
RPC – physical injuries, slander by deed, acts of lasciviousness (if sexual), and so on.

Minimum internal steps: report to Child Protection Committee; externally, complaints can be filed with DepEd, PRC, and criminal justice system.

3. Online Bullying and Grooming by Adults

Cases include:

An adult repeatedly messaging a minor with insults, threats, or harassment.
Posting humiliating content or doctored images of a child.
Grooming the child with flattery or coercion leading to sexualized conversation or content.

Laws that may apply:

RA 7610 – child abuse (including online acts)
RA 9775 – child pornography, including online sexual exploitation
RA 9995 – voyeurism (non-consensual intimate photos/videos)
RA 10175 – cybercrime modalities (e.g., threats, harassment, cyberlibel)

Remedies include:

Reporting to PNP WCPD, NBI, or cybercrime units
Asking platforms to take down abusive content
Requesting protective measures and filing criminal cases.

4. Bullying Inside the Home (Parents and Relatives)

When the bully is a parent, step-parent, relative, or household member, the behavior may be:

Child abuse under RA 7610
VAWC under RA 9262 (if the offender falls under its relationship definitions)

Serious emotional/verbal abuse over time can justify:

Protective custody with DSWD
Protection orders under RA 9262
Criminal prosecution and, in extreme cases, change in custody or parental authority.

V. Evidence and Documentation

Because psychological bullying often happens in private or informally, good documentation is crucial:

Child’s written account – dates, times, exact words used, witnesses.
Screenshots/printouts – of messages, posts, comments, chats.
Photos or videos – of incidents or injuries.
Medical certificates – for physical injuries.
Psychological assessments – to show emotional or mental harm.
School incident reports – if bullying occurs in or around school.
Witness statements – classmates, neighbors, other parents, colleagues.

Adults should avoid coaching the child’s testimony. Instead, allow the child to tell their story in their own words, with support from a social worker or counselor when possible.

VI. Rights and Protections of Child Victims

Child victims of adult bullying have the right to:

Protection from retaliation
Privacy and confidentiality, especially in sensitive or sexual cases
Child-friendly investigations and court procedures
Social and psychological support, often via DSWD or LGU social welfare offices
Free legal assistance (Public Attorney’s Office, Integrated Bar of the Philippines legal aid, NGOs)
Education in a safe environment, free from abuse and harassment.

VII. Practical Guide for Parents/Guardians

When you suspect or discover that an adult is bullying your child:

Listen and reassure
- Calmly let the child share; do not blame them.
- Affirm that bullying is not their fault.
Document the incidents
- Keep a notebook or file of dates, times, places, exact words, screenshots, and witnesses.
Assess immediate danger
- If the child is at risk of harm, remove them from the situation and seek help from the barangay, police, or DSWD.
Engage the school (if applicable)
- Report to the Child Protection Committee or school head.
- Request written updates and copies of any incident reports.
Go to the Barangay and/or PNP WCPD
- Make an official record (blotter) and seek guidance on filing criminal or protection order cases.
Consult a lawyer or PAO
- Bring all documentation.
- Ask about possible charges (RA 7610, RA 9262, RA 11313, RA 10175, relevant RPC crimes) and remedies (protection orders, criminal and civil actions).
Seek psychological support
- Bullying can have long-term mental health impacts.
- Ask for referral to a counselor, psychologist, or child psychiatrist if necessary.
Follow through
- Legal processes can be stressful. Support the child throughout and maintain communication with authorities handling the case.

VIII. Final Notes

There is no single “Anti-Adult Bullying of Minors” law, but Philippine law provides a strong network of protections through child protection statutes, criminal laws, cybercrime regulations, school policies, and VAWC provisions.
The label “bullying” is less important legally than the actual acts, their frequency, and impact on the child.
Parents, guardians, educators, and community members share a duty to report and intervene when a child is subjected to abuse, harassment, or intimidation by adults.

If you want, you can describe a specific situation (changing names and details for privacy), and the applicable laws and possible remedies can be mapped more concretely to that scenario.