By Jing Villamente/Manila Times
The management of PTV4 yesterday distanced from its news department overseer Ed Finlan, a k a Eduardo Valdez after sexual harassment charges were levelled against him.
In a statement posted in the network’s Facebook account, the PTV Management said it promptly investigated the reported incident of sexual harassment filed by a contractual employee against the network’s news department overseer through a panel composed of officers from the ranks of both management and employees.
The statement added that based on the panel’s report and investigation, PTV4 management meted the penalty of 60-day suspension to the news department overseer for simple misconduct –which had put in jeopardy a professional relationship between a trainee and a contractual officer of the network.
“The disciplinary action imposed upon our contractual officer did not apply to the charge of sexual harassment—a matter not proven during our own investigation,” the statement read.
During the administrative investigation, PTV4 ensured that the rights of both the complainant and the respondent were respected.
“We understand that the complainant has filed a criminal case with the Quezon City Prosecutor’s office. Even if PTV4 is not in any way a party to such complaint, we will respect and honour the processes of that office,” it concluded.
Valdez is facing sexual harassment charges after a 23-year-old male trainee accused him of taking advantage of his position by forcing him into a sexual act.
Finlan, according to Eric Sance-buche, 23, a trainee, said in one incident on February 28, the executive attempted to touch his private parts when he was instructed to hand over to the executive a Styrofoam-packed meal from another executive named Delfin ‘Kuya Boogie’ Ambat.
“When I set down the food on the table near him, he asked me, ‘What’s that?’ I told him that Kuya Boogie asked me to give it to him. Then he told me, ‘Let me touch’ and he tried to grab my private parts,” Sancebuche said in his complaint.
He added that the second incident took place in the network’s comfort room on March 7 and was even more lewd, when Finlan chanced upon him peeing. While looking at himself in the mirror, Finlan suddenly appeared from behind and tried to grab his private parts.