SEX HARRASSMENT SCANDAL
NBI exec files perjury raps vs woman
By Carla Gomez
Visayas Bureau
First Posted 23:11:00 11/19/2008
Filed Under: Gender Issues, Women
BACOLOD CITY, Philippines—National Bureau of Investigation Bacolod chief Mamerto Cortez has filed perjury and falsification charges against the woman who accused him earlier of lascivious conduct and oral defamation.
Cortez said he filed the perjury charge since the woman made the "false allegations" in her affidavit while under oath.
He explained that he also filed a complaint for falsification because the woman gave wrong information to the police.
Cortez said he would also file libel charges and seek P1 million in damages for the false accusations she has been making through the media.
His counter charges came after the woman, whose name was withheld by the Philippine Daily Inquirer, lodged complaints for acts of lasciviousness and oral defamation against Cortez on November 4, for allegedly harassing her at the bureau compound last August.
Cortez denied the woman's accusations in a counter-affidavit submitted to the prosecutor's office Monday, stressing that he was in Manila on official business then, and was still in transit when the supposed incident happened.
Cortez's lawyer, Crispin Sumagaysay Jr., said they obtained a certification from the Philippine Airlines to prove that he was still in Manila in the morning of August 16 and was still traveling in the afternoon of the same date.
The woman's husband has filed adultery charges against her for allegedly having a sexual relationship with another man.
Two other women, who claimed that they surfaced to support the first complainant's claims, have alleged that Cortez also harassed them.
Both women, who sought help from DYAF Radyo Veritas, claimed it took time for them to come out because of their fears.
One claimed to have been harassed in 2006, although Cortez became Bacolod NBI chief only in 2007.
The other alleged that Cortez made remarks about her body in a restaurant.
Cortez said the women should file formal complaints against him, instead of accusing him through the media.
He maintained that the complainants were just being used by persons seeking his removal from office.
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