Updated on Oct. 6, 2018, 11:51 a.m.
News reporter Gretchen Fullido isn’t going to let anyone get away with sexual harassment, libel, and victim-shaming—even her own bosses and colleagues. Earlier today, she filed criminal cases against four of her colleagues in ABS-CBN News before the City Prosecutors’ Office of Quezon City.
According to a news release by Marvin B. Aceron of APV Law, Gretchen filed a sexual harassment case against former ABS-CBN News executive Cheryl C. Favila and ABS-CBN News segment producer Maricar P. Asprec. She alleged that the two would send her text messages “that were loaded with sexual innuendos, which amounted to requests for sexual favors.” She continued that when she rejected these advances, the two “made it difficult for her to work as a reporter and news anchor for TV Patrol” and that it has been an ongoing struggle for almost three years now.
This wasn’t the first time Gretchen accused the executives of sexual harassment. In July 2016, ABS-CBN Management dismissed a case against Cheryl, but found her liable for Gross Misconduct which led to her dismissal from the company.
Meanwhile, Gretchen has also filed libel cases against Ces Drilon, Venancio Borromeo, and Marie Lozano. She alleged that the three “besmirched her reputation when they stated that she filed a similar sexual harassment complaint against Favila and Asprec with ABS-CBN management to leverage her employment status.” Ces was also accused of resorting to victim-shaming and telling Gretchen that she deserved to be harassed since she “was willing to wear a bikini with an inflatable pool with bubbles to shove up the ratings of TV Patrol.”
ABS-CBN News acknowledged Gretchen’s allegations, including the administrative case she filed last year, and said that they don’t condone sexual harassment in their company. “ABS-CBN respects the right of news anchor and reporter Gretchen Marie Fullido to bring her sexual harassment complaint to the courts.”
Ces released a statement denying Gretchen’s claims. “As a victim of sexual harassment once before, it is unthinkable for me to say what Gretchen Fullido alleges I did,” she says, adding that she was asked to testify in an internal investigation. “I reserve the right to consider legal proceedings against these false allegations and attack on my reputation.”
We’ve also reached out to feminist group She Talks Asia via Iza Calzado regarding the issue. She told Preen.ph that they will release a statement later today. “The partners are still discussing the issue at length,” she said.
Stay tuned for more updates.
Photo courtesy of Gretchen Fullido’s Instagram account
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