By ERWIN ‘AMBO’ DELILAN
AN ALLEGED sexual harassment case rocked the provincial capitol of Negros Occidental a couple of weeks ago.
Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz, upon learning the matter from the media, immediately vowed to conduct a probe. His promise: “There will be no sacred cow at capitol.”
Question: What’s the latest?
PLO ‘IN LIMBO’
The Provincial Legal Office (PLO) is “in limbo”. PLO chief, Atty. Alberto Nellas Jr., has nothing to say yet unless there’s a formal complaint lodged before his office.
Diaz is now silent, too, over the matter.
These past months, the PLO issued “punitive’ decisions against several capitol workers. Some were axed. Others were suspended.
The latest was Nenette Escarda, Cashier 1 at the Provincial Treasurer’s Office. Formerly designated as acting treasurer in Isabela town, she was dismissed from the service by Gov. Bong last month over three administrative charges – grave misconduct, serious dishonesty and malversation of public funds. These were related to the controversial “missing fund” from Isabela’s coffers earlier this year.
Escarda denied the allegations and appealed the decision of the governor before the Civil Service Commission –Central Office in Manila.
‘ABONO MESS’
Then there’s the “abono mess”.
Two workers under the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) were suspended for 60 days.
Herminigildo Basilio and Joy Cardinal, assigned at the Provincial Rice Processing Center in Barangay Tabunan, Bago City, were subjected to a comprehensive probe following the disappearance of 789 sacks of fertilizer.
The fertilizers worth P2.3 million were from the Department of Agriculture (DA) Region 6. Supposedly, they’ll be distributed to Negros towns and cities as aid to farmers affected by typhoon “Odette”. However, on Oct. 20 last year these couldn’t be accounted anymore.
The PLO is currently conducting a motu proprio investigation.
HOPING FOR FAIRNESS
Meanwhile, billed as “maniacase”, the sexual harassment plaints against a ranking office official “excites” capitol employees. This is no ordinary case. They want to see how Nellas, Diaz and Gov. Bong handle this matter.
“I hope fairness will prevail,” said a lady capitol employee.
“Kabay ang kamatuuran mangibabaw,” stressed a male capitol employee.
Sexual harassment is clearly unlawful under Republic Act (RA) 7877. Too, the Civil Service Commission (CSC) has Resolution No. 01-0940 anent to this matter. It is known as the Administrative Disciplinary Rules on Sexual Harassment Cases.
COMMISSION OF THE OFFENSE
Under CSC Resolution No. 01-0940, sexual harassment may take place in the following:
* In the premises of the workplace or office or of the school or training institution;
* In any place where the parties were found as a result of work, education or training responsibilities or relations;
* At work or education- or training-related social functions;
* While on official business outside the office or school or training institution or during work or school – or training-related travel.
* At official conferences, fora, symposia or training session; or
* By telephone, cellular phone, fax machine or electronic mail.
In “maniacase”, per allegation, the harassment was done to several capitol female casual / job order (JO) workers, and even to a staff of a known capitol supplier during the Panaad sa Negros Festival just this April.
The alleged physical acts included malicious touching and overt sexual advances. But the “victims” were afraid to come out.
‘HAUNTING’
To be a victim of sexual harassment ain’t an easy ordeal. It’s always “haunting” the victim. And as what www.geckoandfly.com is stressing, “Forgetting is difficult. Remembering is worse.”
Gov. Bong, therefore, has no choice but to simply act with fairness on this matter. Let it be known that NegOcc’s capitol was once declared the “safest place” for women.
Every year, with Marie June Castro as focal person on women advocacy, capitol is observing the 18-day campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW).”
In my previous notes, I saw Gov. Bong once said, “Under my watch, Negrense women will always have a fighting chance and shall be treated without prejudice.”
“Society can never be really progressive until rights of women are rightfully accorded the importance and value they deserve,” he added.
In essence, capitol is at a “frying moment” right now.
“Maniacase” poses the “biggest challenge” for the governor to “walk the talk”./PN
