By CESAR JOLITO III
Bacolod City Mayor Greg Gasataya denied the motion for reconsideration filed by a Bacolod City College (BCC) professor, who was earlier found guilty of sexual harassment.
“Sexual harassment and abuse of authority will not be tolerated in our schools,” Gasataya reiterated, confirming the decision in a press conference yesterday.
“When the safety and welfare of students are at stake, the city must act decisively,” he added.
The mayor, who also chairs the BCC Board of Trustees, upheld the ruling.
Gasataya also disclosed that the city government received additional complaints against the professor, which are being validated.
He assured the public that they remain committed to handling cases of sexual misconduct with fairness and transparency.
The case stemmed from a complaint filed in February 2025 by a BCC student, who accused the professor of inappropriate advances.
Investigators established that he had requested sexual favors in exchange for passing grades and favorable academic treatment, made unwelcome sexual remarks, and engaged in flirtations that caused the complainant severe anxiety, depression and stress.
The BCC professor was found guilty of the grave offense, meted the penalty of dismissal from service and perpetual disqualification from public service, pursuant to Section 51 (A) of the 2017 Rules on Administrative Cases in the Civil Service (RACCS).
His retirement benefits were likewise forfeited.
“The totality of evidence points to grave misconduct on the part of the respondent, exploiting his position of moral ascendancy and authority over a student in a vulnerable academic position. His actions caused undue distress to the complainant and undermined the integrity of the institution,” the decision stated.
In dismissing the reconsideration plea, the city government emphasized that the Committee on Decorum and Investigation (CODI) was validly constituted and had proper jurisdiction.
The respondent’s claim that a Board of Trustees resolution was needed to create the CODI was rejected.
Under Republic Act No. 11313 or the Safe Spaces Act and Commission on Higher Education Memorandum Order No. 3, series of 2022, the college administrator is empowered to form the CODI, which has authority to investigate gender-based sexual harassment cases.
Officials further stressed that strict adherence to technical rules of procedure and evidence is not required in administrative proceedings.
As cited in Section 3 of the RACCS, such cases are conducted liberally to ensure just, speedy and inexpensive resolution, free from unnecessary technicalities./CJ, WDJ