GMA reporter Athena Imperial has filed criminal complaints before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office against former GMA reporter Nico Waje over alleged sexual harassment.
In a statement, Atty. Aloi Renz Santos, legal counsel of Imperial, whose full name is Athena Mae Imperial-Rodriguez, said his client filed complaints for acts of lasciviousness under Article 336 of the Revised Penal Code and gender-based sexual harassment under Republic Act No. 11313, or the Safe Spaces Act.
Santos said the case is now before the proper forum, adding that they would refrain from discussing the details of the complaint to protect Imperial-Rodriguez’s rights and allow the legal process to proceed.
According to Santos, Imperial-Rodriguez filed the complaint not only for herself but also for others who may still be afraid or unable to speak about their experiences.
“Ipinapakita niya na ang ganitong uri ng insidente ay hindi na dapat binabalewala, minamaliit, o pinapayagan sa anumang lugar ng trabaho, propesyon, o industriya,” Santos said.
Santos also said another complainant has filed a separate case against Waje but declined to provide further details out of respect for privacy and due process.
In her own statement, Imperial-Rodriguez said the decision to speak up was not easy and required time, reflection, and support from people close to her.
She said she came forward not only for herself but also for those who are not yet ready or are still afraid to report their own experiences.
Imperial-Rodriguez stressed that such incidents should not be ignored, minimized, or tolerated in any workplace or industry.
She said she is placing her trust in the legal process and in the institutions tasked to handle the matter fairly and in accordance with the law.
She also appealed to the public to allow the law to take its course without speculation or premature judgment while the case is pending.
As of this writing, Waje has yet to issue a statement or reaction regarding the complaints filed against him.