Sandigan terminates sexual harassment case vs ex-Neda exec

Sandiganbayan building in Quezon City INQUIRER PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The Sandiganbayan has terminated the sexual harassment case of former National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) regional director Jose Romeo Escandor after he completed four months of community service.

In a resolution dated July 4, the anti-graft court’s Third Division ordered the “final discharge” of Escandor and the termination of his case. The court’s decision also led to the lifting of his hold departure order.

In October 2013, the Sandiganbayan found Escandor guilty beyond reasonable doubt of sexually harassing a female staffer at the Neda Central Visayas regional office. He was sentenced to a six-month prison term and fined P20,000.

However, in January 2024, the anti-graft court reconsidered its earlier decision denying Escandor’s request to serve his sentence through community service instead of spending six months in prison. The Sandiganbayan held a hearing on Escandor’s application in March of the same year.

READ: Convicted ex-Neda official appeals for lighter penalty

As stated in the resolution, the court granted Escandor’s application through an order released on April 3, 2024. Among the requirements he needed to fulfill were attending pastoral service, assisting in the implementation of legal services and various economic programs in Barangay Lahug, Cebu City, and undergoing exit rehabilitative counseling with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

His community service lasted from June 1, 2024, to October 1, 2024. During this period, Escandor was required to report to supervising probation and parole officer Danna Merisa Ebra twice a month. He was also prohibited from committing any crime or associating with persons of questionable character.

After Escandor’s community service was completed, the anti-graft court terminated the case based on reports it received from Ebra, Cebu City DSWD Aftercare Program Jail Chief Inspector Merlina Metante, and Barangay Chairperson Muafia-Empleo. /jpv