10/10/2025
Kami ay nakikiisa sa mga biktima at naninindigan para sa zero tolerance sa anumang uri ng sekswal na panliligalig, lalo na sa loob ng mga institusyong pampamahalaan.
Ang ganitong mga gawain mula sa mga opisyal ng gobyerno ay malubhang paglabag sa karapatan ng kababaihan at sa tiwala ng publiko. Alinsunod sa Safe Spaces Act (RA 11313) at Code of Conduct for Public Officials (RA 6713), walang puwang ang ganitong asal sa serbisyo publiko.
Nanawagan kami sa Pamahalaang Lungsod ng Maynila na tiyaking mabilis, patas, at may malasakit sa kababaihan ang imbestigasyon, at na mapangalagaan ang dangal at kaligtasan ng lahat ng kababaihan sa kanilang pinagtatrabahuhan.
Ang paggalang sa dangal ng kababaihan ay hindi opsyonโito ay tungkuling bumubuo sa tunay na dangal ng paglilingkod-bayan.
๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐๐๐ซ๐จ ๐๐จ๐ฅ๐๐ซ๐๐ง๐๐ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐๐๐ฑ๐ฎ๐๐ฅ ๐๐๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ: ๐๐ญ๐๐ญ๐๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐จ๐ง ๐๐๐ฉ๐จ๐ซ๐ญ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ง๐ฏ๐จ๐ฅ๐ฏ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ง๐ข๐ฅ๐ ๐๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐๐ข๐ฅ๐จ๐ซ๐ฌ
The Philippine Commission on Women expresses deep concern over the alleged acts of sexual harassment committed by a member of the Manila City Council against a fellow councilor, as publicly disclosed during a regular session of the Sangguniang Panlungsod.
Sexual harassment and other gender-based offenses have no place anywhere, especially in public institutions. When committed by public officials, such acts become even more reprehensible, as they violate not only the rights of women but also the ethical standards that all public servants are sworn to uphold. Proven cases involving public officials may be treated as grave administrative offenses, which can result in suspension, dismissal, and sanctions, in addition to the penalties provided by laws.
Under the Safe Spaces Act (R.A. No. 11313) or the Bawal Bastos Law, gender-based sexual harassment in all spaces including workplaces and government institutions is punishable by law. This covers unwelcome remarks, gestures, or advances that demean, intimidate, or objectify women. Likewise, such behavior constitutes a violation of R.A. No. 6713, or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, which mandates public servants to perform their duties with professionalism, respect, and integrity. The intention of the offender is immaterial, according to the law. Thus, even if an accused claims that it was not his intention to sexually harass the victim, he remains guilty of sexual harassment under the law.
The Civil Service Commission (CSC) considers sexual harassment a grave administrative offense under CSC Resolution No. 01-0940 and the 2017 Rules on Administrative Cases in the Civil Service (RACCS). These policies make it clear that sexual harassment, whether between colleagues or otherwise, has no place in government service.
The PCW calls upon the City Government of Manila to ensure that these allegations are investigated promptly, fairly, and with due regard to the rights and welfare of all involved. While the PCW does not intervene in ongoing administrative or disciplinary proceedings, it underscores the duty of the concerned authorities to uphold womenโs rights and ensure due process.
As Lingkod Bayan, all are called to act with integrity, live by the principles they uphold, and create a safe and respectful environment for women. All government institutions are likewise expected to strengthen their mechanisms for preventing and addressing sexual harassment in the workplace and to foster a culture of accountability, respect, and gender sensitivity. This includes the establishment of their respective Committee on Decorum and Investigation or CODI.
As the 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women approaches, let us regard it not merely as an annual observance, but as a resounding call to confront the reality that violence against women persists โ that no level of success, influence, or public service can shield women from the risks of harassment and abuse. It calls on everyone to help build a society where dignity and equality are upheld in all spaces.
๐๐๐ญ ๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐ฌ ๐ฌ๐๐ซ๐ฏ๐ ๐๐ฌ ๐ ๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ซ ๐ซ๐๐ฆ๐ข๐ง๐๐๐ซ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐ฅ๐ฅ ๐ฉ๐ฎ๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ ๐จ๐๐๐ข๐๐ข๐๐ฅ๐ฌ: ๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐ฉ๐๐๐ญ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐ฐ๐จ๐ฆ๐๐งโ๐ฌ ๐๐ข๐ ๐ง๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ง๐จ๐ญ ๐จ๐ฉ๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐๐ฅ, ๐๐ฎ๐ญ ๐ ๐ฌ๐จ๐ฅ๐๐ฆ๐ง ๐๐ฎ๐ญ๐ฒ ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ญ ๐๐๐๐ข๐ง๐๐ฌ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐ซ๐๐๐ข๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ ๐จ๐ ๐ฉ๐ฎ๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ ๐ฌ๐๐ซ๐ฏ๐ข๐๐ ๐ข๐ญ๐ฌ๐๐ฅ๐.
