Ex-SK chair vows to prove innocence vs sexual advances claims

A former Sangguniang Kabataan chairman who allegedly made unwelcome sexual advances and threatened a 20-year-old SK kagawad said he had "so many witnesses" to prove his innocence.

"I have so many witnesses na makakapagpatunay na yung circumstances, at that time, if not impossible, eh, very highly improbable na may mangyaring sexual harassment," said Jovher Sagara, a former SK Chairman in San Juan.

(I have so many witnesses who can prove the circumstances at that time, if not impossible, it's very highly improbable that sexual harassment happened.)

Sagara said the case is now in the court, which he considers a proper venue to prove his innocence.

However, he was saddened that the case had been released to the media to "gain public sympathy and attention."

"Buti na lang alam noong mga nakakakila sa akin kung ano pagkatao ko. Sila makakapagsabi kung kaya kong gawin yan o hindi," he said.

(It's good that those who know me know what kind of person I am. They can tell if I could do it or not.)

He added that his side of the story will be shared in the court and said he does not want to make the case a trial by publicity.

"Sa tingin ko naman, madali kung malilinis ang pangalan ko kase nga tulad ng nasabi ko kanina, na pagdating sa korte ito ay usapin ng kredibilidad," Sagara said.

(I think it will be easy if my name is cleared because, as I said earlier, when it comes to court, it is a matter of credibility.)

"At the end of the day, lalabas yung katotohanan sa kasong ito," he added.

(At the end of the day, the truth will come out in this case.)

On Thursday, the 20-year-old SK kagawad in San Juan filed a complaint against Sagara for allegedly making unwelcome sexual advances and threats.

According to Marisol Abdurahman's report on "24 Oras," the victim said she received threats after she filed a complaint over Sagara.

The victim said the incident happened during the last day of their mandatory training on November 30 in Talisay, Batangas.

As they prepared to return to Metro Manila, they allegedly went inside a room to look for missing car keys. According to the victim, Sagara locked the room and supposedly made sexual advances. — Sherylin Untalan/DVM, GMA Integrated News