Sandigan Convicts Former NEDA Director

The Sandiganbayan has convicted the former regional director of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) in Central Visayas after he was found guilty of sexual harassment against her subordinate female division head.

The record shows that the immoral advances against the female subordinate division chief were perpetrated from 1999 to 2003.

In a 30-page decision penned by Justice Alexander Gesmundo, the Anti-Graft Court found NEDA Regional Director Jose Romeo Escandor guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the offense of sexual harassment under Republic Act 7877.

The Sandiganbayan gave credence to the testimony of the complainant who testified that Escandor committed a series of specific acts of sexual harassment such as holding her hands while attending meetings, unwanted sexual advances such as kissing her on the cheek.

The complainant also claimed that Escandor had sent her text messages such as “I missed you,” and phone calls telling her that he wanted to have sexual relations with her.

The Sandiganbayan justices said these acts resulted to an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment for the complainant.

The decision added that “like in rape, acts of sexual harassment are usually committed in a private place or done clandestinely where only the perpetrator and the victim are present” and that “an accused may be convicted of sexual harassment based solely on the testimony of the victim, as long as she is competent and credible.”

Escandor has been ordered to pay a fine of P20,000.

Image Credit: www.philstar.com