Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia yesterday asked the female reporter who said she is filing sexual harassment charges against a city employee to come out formally so the city can start an official investigation on her complaint.

The reporter who claimed she was harassed by an executive assistant of the Mayor in a motel in Bacolod City said Tuesday she would file a formal complaint against the man.

Based on a blotter report, she claimed the employee offered her office work so she decided to meet him the following day outside the Bacolod City Police Office. She said that after they had bought lunch, the suspect invited her to talk in a private place and she was surprised when he brought her to a motel.

Leonardia said she should be serious in filing the case. “To be fair to all parties concerned, it is premature to act unless they formalize it. If they file a case, we will act accordingly,” he said.

City Legal Officer Allan Zamora said that in cases of sexual harassment, the one harassing must have some influence or moral ascendancy over the victim. If somebody has no moral ascendancy or influence over the complainant, he believes there could be sexual harassment, he said. In the present case, the complainant can only file a case of misconduct, he added.

Meanwhile, the city employee denied the allegations against him, saying he is not physically fit to commit such act after having had his third heart attack on Sept. 9, 2007 when he was confined in a hospital for 10 days.

He said the truth will come out one of these days. He also said he has no ill feelings towards the complainant because he understands why she is acting that way. He added that his family and those who know him well do not believe he is capable of what he is being accused of.*CGS

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