GMA actor Archie Alemania
Archie Alemania’s Facebook / Philstar.com’s screenshot

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MANILA, Philippines — GMA actor Archie Alemania should face preventive suspension following the acts of lasciviousness complaint filed by actress Rita Daniela against him, a women’s group said.

The Gabriela Women’s Party urged Sparkle GMA Artist Center on Thursday, October 31, to temporarily suspend one of its artists, Alemania, for allegedly committing sexual harassment towards a co-artist.

First nominee Sarah Elago, also a former Kabataan Partylist representative, said that the artists’ management should keep Alemania and Daniela away from each other.

Daniela filed the complaint against Alemania on Wednesday, October 30, detailing in her affidavit the inappropriate advances he allegedly made towards her at a party in Quezon City in September.

The actress stated that Alemania, while intoxicated, forced himself onto her, continuing his advances despite her repeated refusals and attempts to push him away.

This is just one of the many cases of sexual harassment in the entertainment industry. In August, GMA actor Sandro Muhlach also filed sexual assault charges against two independent contractors.

On October 30, the Department of Justice issued a resolution indicting the accused after they determined that all elements of sexual assault and acts of lasciviousness were demonstrated in the case.

“Nagiging talamak ang ganitong klaseng kaso sa entertainment industry, kaya dapat magkaroon ng malinaw na protocol laban sa sexual harassment,” Elago added.

(Cases like this are becoming more rampant in the entertainment industry, so there should be a clear protocol against sexual harassment.)

However, many incidents of workplace sexual harassment remain unreported, Gabriela Women’s Party said, attributing this to survivors’ fears of career repercussions and potential victim-blaming if they come forward.

The women’s group emphasized that sexual harassment has no place in the entertainment industry or any workplace. They commended Daniela’s courage, seeing it as a testament that other survivors can also come forward and seek justice.

“We stand with Rita Daniela and all victims of sexual harassment who bravely come forward to hold their perpetrators accountable. Her courage in filing a formal complaint sends a powerful message that sexual harassment has no place in the world of work, including the entertainment industry,” Elago said.

“We encourage other victims to break their silence and speak up,” she added.

Republic Act 11313 or the Safe Spaces Act mandates that employers prevent, deter and punish acts of gender-based sexual harassment in the workplace.

This includes establishing measures in the workplace and creating an independent internal mechanism to investigate and resolve sexual harassment complaints.

Failure to fulfill these responsibilities under Section 17 can result in fines ranging from P5,000 to P15,000, depending on the specific duty violated.