Bulacan board member suspended for alleged sexual harassment

Philippine Daily InquirerIndependentCenternow

A member of the Bulacan Provincial Board, Efren Bartolome Jr., has been suspended for a month after a female colleague accused him of sexual harassment during a public event last year. The suspension was approved by the provincial board through Resolution No. 629-2026, based on findings by the ethics committee led by Board Member Erlene Luz Dela Cruz. The allegations were raised during a privilege speech in May 2023, detailing an incident that occurred at a team-building session and Christmas party in December 2022. Bartolome denied the accusations, calling them fabricated and questioning the jurisdiction of the provincial board. The ethics committee affirmed the board's authority under local government laws and urged Bartolome to uphold professional standards. It remains unclear whether Bartolome will appeal the decision.

Bias read (Center): The article presents both sides of the issue: the accusation by the female colleague and Bartolome's denial. While the subject involves a serious allegation of sexual harassment within a political institution, the reporting does not show明显的 ideological leaning. The article cites both the ethics委员会's