A document recommending the dismissal of the acts of lasciviousness complaint filed by TV reporter Athena Imperial against former reporter Nico Waje has surfaced on social media.
The document was shared by Waje’s wife, Lienel, through a Facebook Story visible only to her friends. A screenshot of the document indicates that the complaint against Waje should be dismissed for lack of prima facie evidence.
Imperial filed complaints against Waje before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office on May 13 for acts of lasciviousness under Article 336 of the Revised Penal Code and alleged gender-based sexual harassment under the Safe Spaces Act.
Waje later submitted his counter-affidavit on June 19, accompanied by his wife and legal counsel, Atty. Leo Lalusis. His camp said at the time that he was prepared to answer the allegations against him.
According to the portion of the document shared online, the complaint for acts of lasciviousness and the alleged violation of Section 16(c), Article IV of Republic Act No. 11313 was recommended for dismissal.
The reported basis was lack of prima facie evidence, meaning the evidence presented was found insufficient at that stage to establish adequate grounds to pursue the criminal complaint.
However, the screenshot circulating online does not show the document’s signatory or other portions that would establish whether the recommendation has already been approved and adopted as the final resolution of the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office.
Thus, while posts circulating on social media claim that Imperial’s complaint has already been dismissed, the available screenshot only establishes that a recommendation for dismissal was made.
Imperial previously said that pursuing legal action was a difficult decision and appealed to the public to allow the proper authorities to handle the case “without speculation or prejudgment.”
Should a final resolution dismissing the complaint be issued, Imperial may still avail herself of legal remedies, including filing a motion for reconsideration.
As of writing, a final resolution from the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office confirming the dismissal has yet to be independently verified.
