Pasig City, Philippines – The Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) continues to champion a safe and gender-inclusive work environment, with 362 officers and staff from its Pasig, Davao, and Tagaytay offices participating in the orientation titled “Sexual Harassment: Legal Insights and Stakeholders’ Role” on September 25, 2024. This session, part of DAP’s ongoing Gender and Development training series, is designed to strengthen the implementation of the organization’s guidelines on handling sexual harassment.

DAP GAD Technical Working Group Chairperson Pag-asa Dogelio welcomed the participants, while expert resource speakers Atty. Diane Camilla Borja and Atty. Francis del Valle from the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel led the session. Atty. del Valle provided an in-depth discussion on sexual harassment as an offense under the 2017 Rules on Administrative Cases in the Civil Service, emphasizing the processes for filing formal charges and the classifications of sexual harassment, including those committed in an online setting. Atty. Borja explored the three-fold liability rule, detailing how public officers may be held civilly, criminally, and administratively accountable for wrongful acts or omissions.

The session builds on the foundation set during the first orientation held on July 29, 2024, which introduced participants to existing anti-sexual harassment policies, Civil Service Commission and other related issuances, and the role of the Committee on Decorum and Investigation (CODI). It also covered the administrative process under the 2017 Rules on Administrative Cases in the Civil Service (RACCS). Resource speakers Atty. Adriane Gabrielle Pundavela, Atty. Dakila Adame, Atty. Donna Marie Cabarrubias, and Atty. Christian Danielle Austria from the National Economic and Development Authority led the discussions during the initial session.

In a dynamic question-and-answer segment of the recent session, Atty. del Valle underscored that a complainant’s sworn statement alone can be sufficient evidence to initiate a case, and clarified that even the use of objects, when sexual in nature, constitutes harassment. Atty. Borja addressed inquiries about the definition of malicious intent, emphasizing the importance of the complainant’s perspective while reminding participants that investigations will consider the context of both parties involved. She also clarified that physical retaliation in self-defense against a perpetrator will not be considered assault and may strengthen the complainant’s case.

This orientation is a clear demonstration of DAP’s dedication to fostering a respectful and secure workplace. Through its Gender and Development Technical Working Group and Committee on Decorum and Investigation, DAP adheres to the principles outlined in Republic Act No. 7877 (The Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995) and Republic Act No. 11313 (The Safe Spaces Act), along with other related laws and guidelines. The third session in this training series is scheduled for November 2024, further reinforcing DAP’s commitment to upholding these standards.