SENATOR Risa Hontiveros along with a student organization at the University of the East called on the university administration to investigate the allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct in its Caloocan campus.

In a joint statement, Hontiveros and the UE-Caloocan Association of Communication Students condemned alleged cases of sexual harassment inside the university “especially by professors which such heinous act goes directly opposite to their code of conduct.”

“Any form of sexual advances and innuendos, no matter how harmless it looks like, are illegal and should not be tolerated in the academic institution,” the statement said.

Hontiveros and UE-ACTIONS urged the university officials to take serious and concrete action on sexual and gender-based harassment and strengthen its safe space act as affirmed by RA 7877 or the Anti-sexual Harassment Act of 1995.

“The university shall be a home of a safe and healthy environment that nurtures students and not traumatizes them. We implore an investigation on the allegations to safeguard the integrity of the whole institution,” the statement said.

“To all the victims, this is not the end. We are with you and we will fight,” it added.

Earlier this month, Jenniel Villanueva posted a blind item on his Facebook account accusing a teacher of sexual misconduct.

A report by the school’s publication the RedWire said that a learner received unwanted sexual advances from married teachers.

Another learner shared that their teacher would groom girls and tell sex jokes and were “very touchy” with female students.

Hontiveros filed Senate Resolution 168 urging the Senate committee on women, children, family relations and gender equality to conduct the probe with the end in view of “creating safe spaces for students that are conducive for their learning and making perpetrators accountable for the consequences of their actions, consistent with the provisions of the Safe Spaces Act.

The UE-Caloocan Basic Education Department said that it is looking into the allegations.
“We would like to ensure everyone that UE is a school that fosters learning and respect for everyone; thus we condemn any form of harassment, judgment, and exclusionary behavior within and beyond the campus,” it said.