Justice Singh: CODIs must earn workers’ trust in fight vs harassment

Supreme Court Associate Justice Maria Filomena Singh underscored the vital role of Committees on Decorum and Investigation (CODIs) in safeguarding workplace dignity and preventing gender-based harassment.

Speaking at the inaugural National CODI Summit 2026 on 13 August at the SMX Convention Center in Taguig City, Singh said effective CODIs must go beyond statutory compliance and earn the trust of the people they are mandated to protect.

The summit, organized by the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), carried the theme, “Tindig Babaylan, Pang-aabuso’y Wakasan!”

Addressing representatives from government agencies, human resource practitioners, Gender and Development advocates and development partners, Singh said having policies, mandated committees and complaint mechanisms alone does not guarantee a workplace free from sexual harassment.

She stressed that employees must understand their rights, have access to remedies and trust that complaints will be handled safely, fairly and effectively.

Singh said CODIs have a dual mandate under the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act: investigating complaints and preventing harassment through education, awareness and institutional reform.

“A strong CODI, therefore, does more than respond to wrongdoing. It helps build a workplace where wrongdoing is less likely to occur,” Singh said.

While acknowledging efforts by government agencies to strengthen CODIs through capacity-building, organizational reforms and improved workplace policies, Singh said the goal should not simply be to establish more committees.

Instead, she said CODIs must be capable of responding competently, promptly, fairly and effectively when harassment occurs.

Singh also cited reforms within the judiciary aimed at strengthening accountability, integrity and gender responsiveness, including revisions to the 2025 Code of Judicial Conduct and Accountability and the Code of Conduct and Accountability for Court Officials and Personnel, improved disciplinary mechanisms and continued gender-sensitivity education.