MIAA official charged
with sexual harassment

A FEMALE janitor of the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) has filed a sexual harassment complaint against an official of the Airport Ground Operations Division for allegedly kissing, groping and making indecent proposals to her last July 4.

In her complaint, Rosalie Lusoc, 28, married, of Sta. Lucia, Pasig City, claimed she was sexually harassed by Chito Esteban in the afternoon and evening of July 4 inside his office. Lusoc said Esteban ordered her to prepare a snack for him and while she was doing so, Esteban embraced her tightly from behind and touched her private parts. She said Esteban became more aggressive when she resisted. When she was able to free herself, Lusoc said Esteban chased her around the room. She said Esteban only stopped when she begged for mercy.

Out of respect for his position, Lusoc said she still prepared Esteban's food, and while the latter was eating she quoted him as telling her: "Kailan tayo magde-date? Masarap ako, matamis ang laway ko. Kung gusto mo 'wag mabuntis marami akong alam na paraan. Mabango ang pawis ko dahil pag naligo ako ay nagpapakulo ako ng tubig at hinahaluan ko ng alcohol." She said Esteban even told her that she can live in his house.

Lusoc said she told her supervisors Joseph Agustin and Alex Cariaga what happened when she returned to her work station, but nothing was done. At 9 pm of the same day, she said Esteban called the work station to order her to prepare his dinner and bring it to his office. She said she tried to ask Josephine Coprade, a fellow janitor, to go with her but Coprade refused. She said Agustin overheard them and asked why she did not want to go alone, if Esteban had touched her.

"Hindi lang po hinipuan, niyakap at hinalikan pa," Lusoc said she answered Agustin.

Lusoc said she was forced to bring the food to Esteban alone and while she was placing the food on the table, she noticed Esteban closing the door and she had to run and jam her foot between the door and frame. She said Esteban caressed and kissed her nape while she was setting the table. When Esteban tried to kiss her lips, she said she pushed him away and ran out of the room.