CH employee may lose job for "harassing" OJT

CEBU, Philippines - A Cebu City Hall employee, who allegedly harassed an on-the-job-trainee, may end up losing his job.

This if it will be found out that there is probable cause to terminate Oliver Ruiz, a job order employee assigned at the Cebu City Hospitalization Assistance and Medicines Program, for allegedly harassing a 19-year-old OJT through text messages.

Ruiz allegedly sent the student text messages in her cellphone, threatening to defame her by posting her edited pictures in swimwear attire which he allegedly downloaded from the complainant’s Facebook account.

The OJT already filed a complaint before the Cebu City Legal Office.

Mayor Michael Rama tasked his chief of staff, Philip Zafra, to conduct an investigation and make a recommendation on whatever the findings will be.

But Zafra did not say what the fate of Ruiz will be, saying the mayor will have the final judgment on the case.

“Nag-conduct nami sa among investigation. Nagpaabot nalang mi sa action sa mayor kung unsa ang iyang recommendation,” Zafra said.

The complainant started her training at City Hall last April 18 because her course required her to complete at least 200 hours of work experience at any establishment or institution.

Based on the complaint filed before the legal department, the OJT said she not expect that she would receive “unruly” and “untoward” behavior from a government employee whose kind she used to look up to with high regard.

She allegedly met Ruiz when the latter visited the Public Information Office where she is assigned.

As basic courtesy, she accepted the offer for friendship and gave him her contact number and Facebook account because Ruiz, she said, was persistent to get them.

But Ruiz allegedly got mad at her and sent her messages threatening to defame her because she was not giving him attention.

The accused however denied the accusations against him, saying he was just joking and his text messages were misinterpreted by the complainant. (FREEMAN)