Amending the Composition of the Special Committee Tasked to Draft the Rules on Sexual Harassment Cases in the Judiciary

July 30, 2004

SUPREME COURT ADMINISTRATIVE CIRCULAR NO. 18-04

AMENDING THE COMPOSITION OF THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE TASKED TO DRAFT THE RULES ON SEXUAL HARASSMENT CASES IN THE JUDICIARY

WHEREAS, Section 11, Article II of the Constitution declares that the State values the dignity of every human person and guarantees full respect for human rights;

WHEREAS, to reinforce this constitutional policy, Congress enacted on February 14, 1995 Republic Act No. 7877, which is known as the "Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995", declaring unlawful all forms of sexual harassment in the employment, education or training environment.

WHEREAS, Section 4 of Republic Act No. 7877 enjoins all employers or heads of Office to promulgate appropriate rules and regulations, prescribing the procedure for the investigation of sexual harassment cases and the administrative sanctions therefor;

WHEREAS, the same Act directs that the rules and regulations to be issued shall include, among others, guidelines on proper decorum in the workplace and educational or training institutions;

NOW, THEREFORE, in order to comply with Republic Act No. 7877, particularly Section 4 thereof, and pursuant to the Court En Banc Resolution dated January 13, 2004, in A.M. No. 03-03-13-SC, a Special Committee was constituted, per Administrative Circular No. 18-2004, dated May 13, 2004, to draft the Rules on Sexual Harassment, not only for the Supreme Court but for the entire Judiciary. To provide wider representation of the court employees nationwide, the composition of the Special committee is hereby amended as follows:

HON. REYNATO S. PUNO

HON. MA. ALICIA AUSTRIA-MARTINEZ

HON. ZENAIDA N. ELEPAÑO

ATTY. EDNA E. DIÑO aSIATD

ATTY. EDEN T. CANDELARIA

HON. ROMEO F. BARZA

HON. FRED A. BIEN

HON. AUGUSTUS C. DIAZ

ATTY. ILDEFONSO VILLANUEVA

MR. AUXENCIO JOSEPH B. CLEMENTE

MS. LETICIA AGBAYANI

ATTY. EVALYN GONZALES URSUA

This Administrative Circular superseded AC No. 18-2004, and shall take effect immediately.

Issued this 30th of July 2004.

(SGD.) HILARIO G. DAVIDE, JR.Chief Justice

(SGD.) REYNATO S. PUNOSenior Associate Justice

(SGD.) ARTEMIO V. PANGANIBANSenior Associate Justice

(Per A.M. No. 99-12-08-Revised)