GOVERNMENT officials and personnel who send inappropriate text messages and email, which are sexual in nature, to their colleagues could now face administrative sanctions.
In a new resolution No. 2100064, the Civil Service Commission (CSC) expanded the forms of sexual harassment to include those which are digitally done in line with the Safe Spaces Act.
It defined gender-based online sexual harassment acts as those that use information and communication technology in terrorizing and intimidating victims, and these include “physical, psychological, and emotional threats, unwanted sexual misogynistic, transphobic, homophobic and sexist remarks and comments online whether publicly or through direct and private messages.”
CSC Resolution No. 2100064 is expected to take effect on June 1, 2021.
Prior to the issuance, only sexual harassment in work-related, training, or education are recognized by the government.
Strengthened CODI
The new IATFF resolution strengthened the Committee on Decorum and Investigation (CODI) to prevent possible delays in investigations of complaints of sexual harassment.
“Either the complainant or the person being complained of may request any member of the CODI to inhibit from the proceedings based on conflict of interest, manifest partiality, and other reasonable grounds. A CODI member may also voluntarily inhibit on the same grounds,” CSC said in a statement on Monday.
Among the functions of the CODI is to ensure that the complainant will not suffer from retaliation or any disadvantage in terms of benefits or security of tenure, as well as to guarantee the observance of due process, gender-sensitive handling of the cases, and confidentiality of the identity of the parties involved.
The CODI has 10 days to submit the results of its investigation on the alleged cases of sexual harassment to the “disciplinary authority” of the decision.
“Heads of agencies who will be found remiss on their duties under CSC Resolution No. 2100064 or not taking action on complaints may be charged with Neglect of Duty,” CSC said.
Government officials and personnel, who will be deemed violators of the government’s anti-sexual harassment policies may be sanctioned, ranging from a reprimand to outright dismissal from the service depending on the gravity of their violations.