DUMAGUETE CITY, Oct. 23 (PNA) — A freelance reporter and his wife have filed a complaint against a member of the Dumaguete City Council for alleged violation of Section 44 of Republic Act 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Act (VAWC) on confidentiality.
The complainants, Allan M. Gabucan and his wife, both residents of Barangay Taclobo, filed last October 16 before the City Prosecution Office in Dumaguete City a complaint against Councilor Lilani Ramon, a resident of Calindagan, all in this capital city.
Gabucan, who goes by the name of Jack Agila on air, said Thursday that the complaint stems from a radio program last month during which Councilor Ramon allegedly violated the confidentiality clause of R.A. 9262.
Councilor Ramon had allegedly discussed on air over Metro Dumaguete Banat, a radio program on Power 91 DYGB-FM, last September 5, between 5:10 to 5:40 p.m., a VAWC-related case involving the couple.
Ramon is the chairperson of the Committee on Women of the City Council and among those handling cases of this nature.
In their complaint, the couple said they had already settled their differences amicably and are living harmoniously.
However, they claimed in their complaint that they were surprised to hear Councilor Ramon on air allegedly divulging their case without their consent, which prompted them to have it recorded in the police blotter.
The complainants further claimed to have obtained a copy of the voice recording of the said program on which Ramon went on air.
Section 44 of R.A. 9262 on confidentiality states that all records pertaining to case of violence against women and their children, including those in the barangay, shall be confidential and all public officers and employees and public or private clinics or hospitals shall respect the right to privacy of the victim.
Further, “whoever publishes or causes to be published in any format the name, address, telephone number, school, business, address, employer, or other identifying information of a victim or an immediate family member without the latter’s consent shall be liable to the contempt power of the court”, the complaint stated. (PNA)