SC suspends Sulu judge for sexual harassment

A Sulu judge has been suspended by the Supreme Court (SC) after he was found guilty of sexual harassment toward a female employee. 

In a decision dated February 21, the high court suspended for six months without pay Judge Bensaudi Arabiani Jr. of the Fourth Shari’a Circuit Court in Maimbung, Sulu. 

The SC also sternly warned Arabiani that a repetition of the same or any similar act will be dealt with more severely.

Arabiani had been accused of making a drawing of a vagina and penis, which he then showed to a female employee he was interested in.

The Court found that Arabiani “deliberate utilized this form of expression, i.e. drawing, to maliciously convey to [the female court employee] his sexual desires over her.” 

"It is an act that constitutes a physical behavior of a sexual nature; a gesture with lewd insinuation," the decision stated. 

The SC said the judge's actions cannot be classified as a mere display of sexually offensive pictures, materials, or graffiti, which is a light offense under Section 53 (C) (4), Rule X of Civil Service Commission  Resolution No. 01-0940 or the Administrative Disciplinary Rules on Sexual Harassment Cases.

Instead it held that Arabiani’s misbehavior should be classified as an analogous case (Section 53 (B) (5)) of verbal abuse with sexual overtones under Section 53 (B) (4) of CSC Resolution No. 01-0940, qualifying it is a less grave offense which carries the penalty of fine or suspension of not less than 30 days and not exceeding six months for the first offense and dismissal for the second offense. 

Since it was Arabiani's first sexual harassment infraction, the Court imposed upon him the penalty of suspension for the period of six months. 

The decision was written by Associate Justice Estela Perlas-Bernabe. — Virgil Lopez/RSJ, GMA News