Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 23)— Contrary to a student’s claim, the Ateneo de Manila University on Wednesday said there was no formal complaint filed against a professor tagged in sexual harrasment allegations on campus.
In a memo signed by Ateneo President Fr. Jose Ramon Villarin, the university said its Committee on Decorum and Investigation received only seven sexual harassment complaints, of which five “resulted in termination of employment.”
It added the listed complaints did not include the recent case of a certain female professor, who was linked to alleged harassment in a viral social media post of a male student.
“As such, no disciplinary action was imposed on the basis of his supposed complaint,” the statement read.
The student, in his now-deleted online posts, said he had filed a case against the female professor, claiming that the decision was delayed for months.
READ: Ateneo President apologizes amid sexual harassment protests
Villarin, through the memo, added Ateneo has tapped the services of an independent auditor “to identify any gaps and recommended ways to improve Ateneo’s processes when it comes to dealing with cases of sexual harassment.”
“We recognize that our systems are imperfect, and we are working together as a community to introduce improvements and eradicate all forms of sexual harassment from the halls of the University,” Villarin said.
Last week, students and some faculty members of the premier university staged protests, calling for the removal of “sexual predators” in campus. Some students said there have been cases of sexual harassment where professors have gone unpunished.
Villarin earlier apologized to the student community in the wake of protests, and promised to take action to make the campus a “safer school.” This includes the proposed set-up of an Office for the Protection of Minors and Vulnerable Adults.
