Radioman cleared of harassment case

CEBU, Philippines - Due to lack of evidence, the Office of the City Prosecutor has dismissed the sexual harassment case filed by a female job applicant against Vernilo Cabusao, program head of news and public affairs of Brigada News FM.

The decision of the dismissal of the case was issued last February 15, 2014 and was released on April 24.

The complainant earlier though filed an affidavit of desistance before the Office of the City Prosecutor confirming her intention to withdraw her complaint against the radio broadcaster.

In her affidavit, the complainant said “the reason she filed the case was due to the moral pressure and duress exerted upon her by other persons to vindicate other issues of their own.”

“She heeded to the dictates of her conscience to desist from pursuing the case as it caused undue anguish to the persons concerned especially to herself which she cannot afford to betray” the affidavit reads.

The complainant affirmed that her Affidavit of Desistance is not contrary to law and voluntarily executed by her.

The City Prosecutor’s Office received the affidavit of desistance but stated that it does not yet mean the dismissal of the case.

The case stemmed with last year’s incident wherein Cabusao allegedly drove the complainant to a motel in Mabolo, Cebu City on October 19, 2013. She allegedly resisted but the accused eased her fears, adding that they would only have a drinking session.

When they arrived in the motel, she was allegedly molested and Cabusao warned her to stop complaining or else she will not be hired.

Before a subpoena was sent to Cabusao to file his counter-affidavit, the complainant has withdrew her case of Republic Act 7877 or the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995 against the radioman. — (FREEMAN)