Sacked prof faces sexual assault rap

A DISMISSED state university professor will face trial in court for allegedly sexually harassing a 17-year-old student in a classroom in 2014.

Amy Rose Soler-Rellin, graft investigation and prosecution officer, found evidence to charge Dr. Rey Rojas, former drafting instructor at Cebu Technological University (CTU) Main Campus in Cebu City, with criminal cases before the Regional Trial Court for acts of lasciviousness and sexual harassment.

“The Office is more inclined to accord credence (to victim’s) unwavering narration that what she actually experienced from respondent was not just a fatherly kiss, but rather sexual harassment and lascivious conduct,” said Rellin in the resolution.

The anti-graft office has also dismissed Rojas from the service for grave misconduct.

The ombudsman’s Field Investigation Office filed the complaint accusing Rojas of conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service and grave misconduct.

The probe body cited the affidavit of Rojas’ student assistant, Janis (real name withheld), a resident of Liloan.

The drafting instructor, however, said he had no bad intention in giving the money “prior to the act of kissing and fondling as she falsely claimed.”

He said Janis fabricated details to implicate him in sexual harassment charges.

In the resolution, Rellin said the elements of sexual abuse and lascivious acts were present in Rojas’ acts.

“Respondent (Rojas) used compulsion equivalent to intimidation which annuls or subdues the free exercise of the will of the offended party,” said Rellin. /