The Quezon City government has imposed a six-month suspension on a high-ranking official for sexual harassment.
“We condemn all these vile acts of harassment against women, especially among our own officials and employees. The Quezon City Government is committed to addressing all sexual harassment cases regardless of gender and position in any department,” Mayor Joy Belmonte said.
According to a complaint letter sent to Belmonte, a female employee filed a complaint detailing several acts of verbal and physical sexual harassment she suffered at the hands of a high-ranking official.
The complaint was forwarded to the Committee on Decorum and Investigation-Legislative Department (CODI-Legis) for investigation and recommendation.
After a series of hearings, Vice Mayor Gian Sotto, the disciplining authority, found the official guilty of a less grave offense of sexual harassment defined under Memorandum Circular No. 12-S2020 and 2017 Rules on Administrative Cases in the Civil Service.
The official was meted out a suspension without pay for six months.
“We will always advocate an office culture that values and uplifts one another. Our work environment should reflect that we are servants of God, and this includes ensuring that all employees will feel safe and protected, by not tolerating any misconduct," Sotto said.
“May this case serve as a reminder to our employees that we will not be complacent against any erring employee or official. We encourage all victims of abuse to report to our Gender and Development Office so we can initiate proper administrative and legal action,” Belmonte added.
Belmonte recently signed Executive Order No. 12-s2022 appointing female department heads as the chairpersons and members of the Committee on Decorum and Investigation for the Executive Department.
This is in line with Civil Service Commission Memorandum Circular No. 11-s2021 in relation to RA 11313 or the Safe Spaces Act which states that “Every CODI shall be headed by a woman and not less than half of its members shall be women.”
Another sexual harassment complaint filed at the QC CODI-Executive against another local government employee is currently being investigated.