[ ADMINISTRATIVE CIRCULAR NO. 18-2004, May 13, 2004 ]

[ ADMINISTRATIVE CIRCULAR NO. 18-2004, May 13, 2004 ]

[ ADMINISTRATIVE CIRCULAR NO. 18-2004, May 13, 2004 ]

Constituting a Special Committee to draft the Rules on Sexual Harassment in the Judiciary

WHEREAS , the Constitution, Action II, Article II, 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 sanction 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 Bane Resolution dated January 13, 2004 in A.M. No. 03-03-13-SC, a Special [Committee is hereby constituted to draft the Rules on Sexual Harassment not [only for the Supreme Court but for the entire Judiciary, composed of the [following:

HON. REYNATO S. PUNO

Senior Associate Justice and

Chairman of the Committee on

Revision of the Rules of Court

Chairman

HON. MA. ALICIA AUSTRIA-MARTINEZ

Associate Justice and Chairman of

the Committee on Gender Responsiveness

Vice-Chairman

HON. ZENAIDA N. ELEPAÑO

Deputy Court Administrator

Manila

HON. ROMEO F. BARZA

President of the Philippine

Judges Association

Member

HON. FRED A. BIEN

President of the Philippine

Trial Judges League, Inc.

Member

ATTY. EDNA E. DIÑO

Deputy Clerk of Court and Chief Attorney

Member

ATTY. EDEN T. CANDELARIA

Deputy Clerk of Court and

Chief Administrative Officer

Member

ATTY. EVALYN GONZALES URSUA

Member

This Administrative Circular shall take effect immediately.

Issued this __ 13th __of May 2004.

HILARIO G. DAVIDE, JR.

Chief Justice

Chairman, First Division

REYNATO S. PUNO

JOSE C. VITUG

Associate Justice

Associate Justice

Chairman, Second Division

Chairman, Third Division