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Hontiveros wants probe on alleged PHSA abuse

By Wilnard Bacelonia

July 13, 2022, 4:45 pm

<p><em>(Photo courtesy of PHSA Facebook page)</em></p>

(Photo courtesy of PHSA Facebook page)

MANILA – Senator Risa Hontiveros called on Wednesday for the Upper Chamber to conduct an inquiry, in aid of legislation, into the alleged gender-based sexual harassment, emotional abuse, and other violence experienced by alumni and students of the Philippine High School for the Arts (PHSA).

This, after Hontiveros filed a resolution directing the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality, which she chairs, to investigate the matter and to look as well into possible violations of the Safe Spaces Act, a law she principally authored.

“It is imperative that the Senate, exercising its oversight powers, initiate a thorough but expeditious investigation on the matter to ensure that PHSA and other educational institutions are safe spaces, especially with the upcoming blended/face-to face-classes in August,” the resolution stated.

Hontiveros earlier expressed her support for the victims who came forward and revealed their harrowing experiences to her office and was informed that a PHSA student who is a minor, has formally filed a complaint against a PHSA non-teaching staff after being catcalled in November 2019 inside the campus.

Under the Safe Spaces Act, schools are required to provide a gender-sensitive environment and confidential mechanism for the reporting and redress of grievances on matters of sexual and gender-based harassment.

Hontiveros' resolution also pointed out that “if the accounts are accurate, the repeated failure of PHSA administration to address the violence and abuses is a blatant violation of the Safe Spaces Act and a flagrant disregard of the interests of PHSA students -- interests they are duty-bound to protect and promote as persons reposed with special parental authority”.

The lady senator also underscored the “urgent need to review the reporting protocols and the procedures of the Committee on Decorum and Investigation of the educational institutions tasked to investigate and address complaints of abuse and harassment.”

“To determine the lapses and to propose corresponding reforms to improve implementation of the Safe Spaces Act and other child protection policies," the resolution said.

Pangalawang tahanan ang turing sa mga paaralan kaya dapat ligtas at panatag tayong mga magulang kapag ipinagkakatiwala natin ang ating mga anak (We treat schools as our second home that is why it should be safe and we, parents, are assured that they are when we turn them over). Educational and training institutions should be our children’s safe spaces. Walang puwang dito ang mga mapang-abuso (There is no place here for abusive individuals),” Hontiveros stressed.

Vice President Sara Duterte recently sent a letter to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) asking for an urgent “comprehensive report” on alleged abuses in PHSA. (PNA) 

 

 

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