Bank exec faces case for sexual harassment

CEBU, Philippines - The National Bureau of Investigation-7 has filed a criminal complaint before the Office of the Cebu City Prosecutor against a bank executive who allegedly sexually harassed a female subordinate and used his position to promote her and even demote her if she allegedly resisted his malicious acts.

NBI-7 director Ricardo Diaz sued the bank executive on Wednesday for violation of Republic Act No. 7877 or the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1996.

NBI-7 assistant director Augusto Eric Isidoro said the victim went to their office last June and requested for an investigation against the respondent.

The FREEMAN is withholding the names of the victim and the respondent owing to the sensitive nature of the case.

The victim said that  during her employment with the bank, she got promoted several times through the recommendation of the respondent, who holds a high position and can recommend for the dismissal, transfer and promotion of all the employees in all branches of the bank in the city.

On April 1, 2014, she was promoted as a junior account officer and was again endorsed to a higher position as a junior account officer/acting assistant cashier 13 days after.

Sometime in May 2014, the victim noticed that the respondent would frequently go to her work place to check on her. He would then give her commemorative coins, a cell phone, food and coffee packs, in which the victim initially thought that he was only being friendly.

The respondent also offered to lend her P800,000 without interest as a payment for a parcel of land, but she refused.

In September 2014, the victim said, her boss allegedly embraced her suddenly while inside the bank vault. She was shocked and was not able to move.

The respondent also kissed her on the lips even when she tried to avoid it. She said she was not able to scream since she was ashamed, adding that the respondent was responsible for her promotion.

On the following day, the respondent called her and told her he likes her. The victim told him not to act that way as he was married and was older than her.

From then, the victim began to avoid the respondent.

However, on September 12, 2014, the respondent suddenly kissed her on the lips again. She immediately stood up and stepped backward while the respondent went out of the room.

In the afternoon of the same day, the respondent called her to inform about her transfer to another branch as directed by the human resource department in Manila who allegedly received report of their supposed relationship.

On September 26, she received a memorandum from the respondent about her transfer to another branch effective the following month.

On January 12, 2015, she received another memorandum informing her about her transfer to another branch again and her removal from her concurrent designation as acting assistance cashier. She reported to her new assignment for three days only and stopped coming to work, alleging she felt harassed by her successive transfers to different branches of the bank for a short period of time.

The victim reportedly felt that the respondent made it happen when she made it clear to him that she did not want to have any romantic involvement with him and that she did not like his kisses and embraces.

Investigation disclosed that the respondent has the authority, influence, and moral ascendancy over the complainant.

The victim also filed a case for constructive dismissal before the National Labor Relations Commission.  The respondent is set to answer the allegations against him.- /NSA (FREEMAN)