BACOLOD City – A faculty member of the Bacolod City College (BCC) has been dismissed from service by the Office of the Mayor after being found guilty of sexual harassment, with the penalty of perpetual disqualification from public service.
The teacher’s identity has been withheld for anonymity. His dismissal was based on Section 51(A) of the 2017 Rules on Administrative Cases in the Civil Service.
BCC, a local government-funded institution, was established to provide affordable and quality higher education for Bacolod residents, particularly those unable to pursue studies in private universities.
Mayor Greg Gasataya, who chairs the BCC Board of Trustees (BOT), ordered the dismissal after the BOT approved the recommendation on July 22.
According to the mayor’s order, the respondent was found guilty of the grave offense of requesting sexual favors in exchange for a passing grade and favorable academic conditions, as defined under civil service rules on sexual harassment. He was also cited for light offenses, including unwelcome inquiries about a student’s sex life and unsolicited sexual advances and propositions.
City Legal Officer Atty. Karol Joseph Chiu said the mayor acted firmly on the case, stressing that “there is no tolerance in cases like this, and the welfare of students remains the top priority.”
The case stemmed from a complaint filed last February by a graduating student. The matter was endorsed to the BOT by the Committee on Decorum and Investigation (CODI), which led to immediate action.
Chiu confirmed that his office received on September 10 a motion for reconsideration filed by the dismissed teacher regarding the decision./PN
