A complaint for acts of lasciviousness and gender-based sexual harassment has been lodged before authorities against former broadcast journalist Nico Waje, with GMA reporter Athena Mae D. Imperial-Rodriguez named as the complainant, according to documents obtained by The Philippine Star.
The complaint cites Article 336 of the Revised Penal Code and Republic Act No. 11313, or the Safe Spaces Act.
Imperial-Rodriguez’s legal counsel, lawyer Aloi Renz P. Santos of APS Law, confirmed in a statement that the appropriate complaint had already been filed before the proper authorities. The firm also disclosed that a separate complaint involving similar allegations had been filed by another former network employee.
In her own statement, Imperial-Rodriguez acknowledged that the decision to pursue legal action was “not an easy decision,” and that it required “time, reflection, and support” before she felt ready to act.
The GMA reporter framed the filing as a matter extending beyond her personal circumstances. “I am speaking not only for myself, but also for those who, for different reasons, are still unable or afraid to speak for themselves. I believe that incidents of this nature can no longer be ignored, minimized, or tolerated in any workplace or industry,” she said.
APS Law said one of Imperial-Rodriguez’s motivations in coming forward was to encourage others who may still be reluctant to do the same.
As of this writing, Waje has not issued any public statement in response to the complaint.
