Byron arrested for alleged sexual harassment

CEBU, Philippines — Three counts of alleged gender-based sexual harassment have landed former Capitol consultant Byron Garcia behind bars after a Mandaue court ordered his arrest on Thursday, June 11, for alleged violations of the Safe Spaces Act.

Garcia was taken into custody by law enforcement authorities a day after the warrant was issued by the Municipal Trial Court in Cities (MTCC) Branch 1 in Mandaue City.

Court records showed that Garcia is facing three counts of alleged gender-based sexual harassment under Section 12 of Republic Act No. 11313, otherwise known as the Safe Spaces Act.

In the warrant dated June 10, 2026, Presiding Judge Jennifer M. Pepito-Maniwang directed law enforcement officers to arrest Garcia at his reported address in Corona del Mar Subdivision in Barangay Pooc, Talisay City, or wherever he may be found.

The court fixed bail at P108,000 for Garcia’s temporary liberty, covering the three charges filed against him.

Capitol's Public Health Consultant Dr. Nikki Catalan, the complainant in the gender-based online sexual harassment cases against former Capitol consultant Byron Garcia, said his arrest marks the start of accountability.

"I filed this case for every woman, living or deceased, who has been hurt, defamed, violated, or wronged by Byron Garcia and others like him," said Catalan.

The daughter of Governor Pamela Baricuatro said the arrest signals the start of accountability, maintaining that no one is above the law.

The warrant stated that the bail may be posted through a corporate surety bond, property bond, cash deposit, or recognizance in accordance with the provisions of Rule 114 of the Rules of Court.

“You are hereby commanded to arrest Byron Fiel Garcia... and bring him forthwith before me to be dealt with according to law,” the warrant read.

The court likewise instructed arresting officers to comply with the Supreme Court’s Rules on the Use of Body-Worn Cameras in the Execution of Warrants.

According to the order, authorities were required to use “at least one body-worn camera and one alternative recording device, or a minimum of two devices,” during the implementation of the arrest warrant.

The directive is in line with Administrative Matter No. 21-06-08-SC, which took effect on Aug. 1, 2021, requiring law enforcement personnel to record the execution of warrants.

The warrant was issued under the authority of the MTCC Branch 1 in Mandaue City on June 10, 2026.

Authorities subsequently served the warrant and placed Garcia under arrest on Thursday.

The latest case adds to Garcia’s ongoing legal battles before the courts.

Just last month, Garcia pleaded not guilty to a cyberlibel complaint filed against him by Dr. Janos Vizcayno Jr. during his arraignment before Regional Trial Court Branch 83 in Mandaue City on May 13, 2026.

Information obtained by The Freeman showed that prior to the arraignment, the court denied Garcia’s Urgent Motion to Suspend Proceedings with Motion for Reinvestigation, citing lack of legal basis and noting that the request for reinvestigation had not been filed with leave of court.

Following the denial of the motions, the arraignment and pre-trial proceeded as scheduled, where Garcia entered a plea of “not guilty” to the cyberlibel charge stemming from allegations that he repeatedly damaged Vizcayno’s reputation through videos posted on social media. — /LPM (FREEMAN)