A HIGH ranking official of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) has been charged with sexual harassment at the Sandiganbayan’s third division.
Walter P. Senoron, assistant regional director of the DILG in Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur, allegedly violated Republic Act (RA) 7877 or the Anti-sexual Harrassment Act of 1995.
The office of the Ombudsman for Mindanao conducted an investigation and found that Mr. Senoron forcibly kissed his subordinate, Irene P. Bugtal, sometime in September 2008.
Ms. Bugtal filed a complaint saying that Mr. Senoron maliciously caressed her hair on many occasions and forcibly kissed her, advances which she refused, resulting in hostile and offensive treatment from her boss.
The Office of the Ombudsman for Mindanao recommended the filing of harassment charges against Mr. Senoron.
Under the law, sexual harassment is committed in a work-related environment when: the sexual favor is made as a condition in the hiring, re-employment or continued employment of an individual; the acts would impair the employee’s rights or privileges under existing labor laws; or, the acts would result in an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment for the employee.
Penalties for violations of RA 7877 include imprisonment of not less than one month to three years and a fine of not less than P10,000 but not more than P20,000. — Noemi M. Gonzales, Businessworld
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