By CESAR JOLITO III

A faculty member of the Bacolod City College (BCC) has been dismissed from service after being found guilty of sexual harassment involving a female student.

City Legal Officer Atty. Karol Joseph Chiu confirmed in a media interview that Mayor Greg Gasataya issued the dismissal order against the professor around two to three weeks ago.

The Board of Trustees of BCC approved the decision.

However, the dismissed faculty member has filed a motion for reconsideration, which the City Legal Office acknowledged yesterday.

According to Chiu, the case stemmed from a student’s complaint that the professor sent her inappropriate messages as early as February.

The investigation revealed that the teacher had requested sexual favors in exchange for passing grades and favorable academic conditions, which constitutes a grave offense under civil service rules.

The professor was also found guilty of light offenses, including making unwelcome comments about the student’s sex life, sexual advances, and flirtations.

Under Section 51 (a) of the 2017 Rules on Administrative Cases in Civil Service, the penalty imposed includes dismissal from service and perpetual disqualification from public service./CJ, WDJ