Ex-NEDA exec servesout sex case penalty

The Sandiganbayan has terminated the case against a former National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) regional director, convicted twice of sexual harassment, after he completed four months of community service.

Romeo Escandor sought the termination of the case after rendering community service from June to October last year in Barangay Lahug, Cebu City, as an alternative penalty to a six-month jail term originally imposed by the anti-graft court.

His duties included pastoral service coordination, assisting in legal and economic development programs, participating in livelihood and social services projects, and undergoing rehabilitative counseling through the Cebu City Department of Social Welfare Services Aftercare Program.

Reports from concerned supervisors, who oversaw the service, including the barangay chairperson, confirmed Escandor’s “full compliance with the terms and conditions of his community service and the court’s order. The prosecution did not object to Escandor’s petition, which paved the way for the termination of the case.

The Sandiganbayan initially meted out a six-month prison term and a fine of P20,000 after finding Escandor guilty of sexual harassment in October 2013, stemming from a complaint by her female staff, accusing him of groping and sending lewd text messages.

One year later, the ex-NEDA official was found guilty anew of committing the same criminal offense against a female economic development specialist, who claimed that she was harassed from 1994 to 2004.

The alleged sexual advances include physical contact, including forced kissing. Escandor was only slapped with a P20,000 fine, but was not ordered to be imprisoned.

After a failed attempt to reverse the 2013 verdict, he petitioned the court last year to allow him to perform community service, citing the Community Service Act (RA 11362), which gave courts the discretion to require community service instead of jail time for offenses punishable by arresto menor and arresto mayor.

Escandor maintained he could no longer serve the jail penalty, citing his advanced age and medical condition. He told the court that he is suffering from diabetes and asthma, which constrain his daily activities due to his need to take maintenance medications three times a day.

He wished to render community service in Barangay Tisa, Cebu City, where he resides, instead of in Sudlon, Barangay Lahug, Cebu City, where the NEDA regional office is located. However, the court denied the request, ruling that the community service shall be rendered “in the place where the crime was committed,” pursuant to RA 11362.

Escandor filed a new petition expressing willingness to perform community service in the court-designated barangay, which the Sandiganbayan approved.