Malacañang dismisses assistant solgen for sexual harassment 

Malacañang has ordered the dismissal from the service of an assistant solicitor general after he was found "administratively liable" for the sexual harassment of two legal interns. 

In a 22-page decision obtained by GMA Integrated News, the Office of the President dismissed ASG Derek Puertollano after he was found  administratively liable for sexual harassment through unwanted touching of private body parts, sexual harassment through unwanted touching or brushing against a victim’s body, sexual harassment through surreptitiously looking at a person’s private part, and other analogous cases.

According to Maki Pulido's report on "24 Oras," the victims' statements showed they were with Puertollano in Cebu City to observe a hearing in 2022. Puertollano decided that they stay in his room while they ironed out their accommodations.

As one of the victims tried to sleep, Puertollano allegedly touched his thigh. The victim said he moved his body away.

The following morning, Puertollano was said to have entered the bathroom while the other victim took a shower. After the victim finished his bath, Puertollano allegedly again went into the bathroom, gargled, and touched the complainant's butt.

Aside from the incidents at the hotel, there were also alleged sexual harassment at Office of the Solicitor General in Makati.

Puertollano allegedly would comment on a victim's physique and would stare at a victim's crotch area.

In his defense as regards the incident at the hotel, Puertollano said the group was already in a hurry and he had to use the bathroom. He said he knocked but nobody answered; thus he went in.

He said the victim was still in the shower, and he could not have touched the victim.

As for comments about the body of an intern, Puertollano said he only wanted to connect. He denied staring at the victim's crotch.

For its part, the Office of the President said it is not convinced with Puertollano’s justifications.

“The evidence presented by the prosecution satisfactorily proved that the above-discussed conduct of Puertollano caused insecurity, discomfort, offense, and humiliation to AAA and BBB,” it said.

“After a careful examination of the evidence presented, it is found that there is substantial evidence to hold Puertollano guilty for the offenses he was charged with,” it added. —Joahna Lei Casilao/RSJ/NB, GMA Integrated News