Hontiveros seeks Senate probe into Miss Earth sexual harassment accusations

Senator Risa Hontiveros on Monday filed a resolution seeking an inquiry into claims made by three Miss Earth candidates that they experienced sexual harassment during the conduct of the pageant in the country.

Hontiveros, chairperson of the Senate committee on women, children, family relations, and gender equality, said that there should be "zero tolerance" for acts of sexual harassment and violence.

“Sexual harassment has no place anywhere, especially in a pageant that claims to uphold the value and power of women. At a time when women and girls are battered by rape jokes, sexual violence, and sex for freedom cases, it is imperative that sexual harassment of any kind, shape or form be brought out into the open,” she said.

In Senate Resolution 932, Hontiveros said that Miss Earth Canada Jaime Yvonne VandenBerg, Miss Earth England Abbey-Anne Gyles-Brown, and Miss Earth Guam Emma Mae Sheedy came forward to recount their experiences of sexual harassment allegedly involving one of the pageant’s sponsors. By their accounts they seem to be referring to the same one, identified by Sheedy in an Instagram post as a certain Amado S. Cruz.

VandenBerg, who eventually withdrew from the competition, said that the sponsor got her mobile number without her consent, kept calling her to ask for her hotel and room number, and offered to help her advance in the pageant in exchange for sexual favors.

The resolution said the same spiel of sexual favors in exchange for the Miss Earth crown was used repeatedly on more than one occasion to Gyles-Brown, who was also asked for her hotel and room number.

Sheedy also said that Cruz grabbed her buttocks during the national costume competition, and consistently told her not to tell anyone about his advances.

The resolution also reiterated the candidates' accounts that they reported the incident to Lorraine Schuck, executive vice president of pageant organizer Carousel Productions. 

According to the candidates, Schuck assured them that the sponsor would not be present at future events and that all contacts between him and the candidates would be terminated.

However, Hontiveros' resolution continued, none of the promises was fulfilled as the man was still seen at several events.

The candidates also claimed that the team managers, who were tasked to look after them, disregarded their concerns.

VandenBerg said that at one point, the team managers "laughed and told us to be nice" when she and some of the other contestants chose to sit outside because they did not feel comfortable with the sponsor.

In her own Instagram post detailing her experience, Gyles-Brown said, "Myself and Canada [VandenBerg] approached Team Manager to express our disgust only to be laughed at. Another official attendee of the night told me not to cry as I would ruin my makeup! There was no respect or compassion shown to myself or Jaimie."

Schuck has disputed some of the candidates' allegations, saying that the candidates had female police officers accompanying them. She also said that the supposed harasser in question was not an official sponsor.

READ: Miss Earth Canada says she was sexually harassed during pageant

READ: Miss Earth England, Miss Earth Guam share sexual harassment experiences during pageant

READ: Miss Earth organizer speaks up about alleged sexual harassment incidents

Hontiveros said that responsibility for the incidents falls squarely on the shoulders of both the harasser and the organizers of the event.

“I am surprised that despite reports of sexual harassment, the sponsor was still allowed to see the candidates in succeeding events. This shows disregard for their welfare and a flippant attitude towards the handling of this case. This cannot be allowed to pass unaddressed,” she said.

“This inquiry seeks to shed light on the true events of the case, and to aid in the future protection of women from sexual harassment. No woman should ever be a victim, whatever country they come from,” she added. — BM, GMA News