Senator Risa Hontiveros filed a resolution for the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Inequality to investigate the alleged sexual harassment and emotional abuse in  Philippine High School for the Arts (PHSA) following her call on July 13 for the Upper Chamber to conduct inquiry in aid of legislation. 

Hontiveros’ resolution cited that “if the accounts are accurate, the repeated failure of PHSA administration to address the violence and abuses is a blatant violation of the Safe Spaces Act and a flagrant disregard of the interests of PHSA students–interests they are duty-bound to protect and promote as persons reposed with special parental authority.”

Hontiveros, who authored the Safe Spaces Act or RA 11313, has earlier expressed her support for the victims who came forward and informed her office of their experiences. 

The act aims to cover all forms of gender-based harassment in public spaces, educational or training institutions, workplaces, and online spaces. 

“It is imperative that the Senate, exercising its oversight powers, initiate a thorough but expeditious investigation on the matter to ensure that PHSA and other educational institutions are safe spaces, especially with the upcoming blended/face-to face-classes in August,” the resolution said. 

Sen. Hontiveros also said that there is an urgent need to review the reporting protocols and procedures of the Committee on Decorum and Investigation of the educational institutions that investigate and address abuse and harassment complaints.