Senator Sherwin Gatchalian renewed his call on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, for a ban on smartphones and other electronic devices during class hours in public and private schools, amid a proposed social media ban for minors due to rising violent incidents in schools.
Renewed push after suspension of classes in Batangas
Gatchalian's revived appeal came after the suspension of in-person classes at a public school in Batangas due to a shooting threat. He also cited a foiled attack at a school in Laguna in February involving seven students who were allegedly recruited by foreign handlers through the online game Roblox.
Deadly shooting in Tacloban and other incidents
Earlier this month, three students were killed and several others injured after two male minors opened fire at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City. Authorities also thwarted another alleged attack in Leyte Province, while separate stabbing incidents were recorded in schools in Cavite and Batangas.
Senate Bill 627: The Electronic Gadget-Free Schools Act
Gatchalian is pushing for the passage of Senate Bill 627, or the Electronic Gadget-Free Schools Act, which aims to prohibit students from Kindergarten to Senior High School from using smartphones and other electronic gadgets during class hours. The proposed bill provides exemptions for educational purposes, including classroom presentations and other teacher-guided learning activities. It also allows the use of mobile devices for students with specific health conditions and during emergencies or situations with a perceived threat or danger.
