Antonio “Tony” Meloto
MANILA, Philippines — Antonio “Tony” Meloto, the founding father of Gawad Kalinga (GK), a Philippine-based poverty alleviation motion, has denied accusations of sexual harassment and human trafficking leveled in opposition to him by his alleged victims.
The 2 complainants, who filed separate instances in opposition to Meloto earlier than the Division of Justice (DOJ) final 12 months, accused him of committing acts of lasciviousness, sexual harassment and human trafficking.
They claimed the incidents of sexual misconduct and abuse of energy occurred throughout their time on the GK Enchanted Farm and through worldwide journeys.
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In his counteraffidavit dated Feb. 3, Meloto “strongly [denied]” the allegations, calling them “baseless, false, malicious and improperly filed” as he requested the DOJ to dismiss their complaints.
Meloto, who stated he has not been affiliated with GK since 2017, identified that it was “puzzling, doubtful and wholly inconsistent” with human expertise that one of many complainants, a 25-year-old man on the time of the alleged incident, solely felt compelled to file the criticism seven years after their interplay ended.
“Right here, after the alleged sexual advances, the complainant stayed within the GK Farm. Throughout his keep on the GK Farm and in the course of his scholarship within the College for Experiential and Entrepreneurial Improvement (SEED), complainant by no means initiated or filed any case for sexual harassment or acts of lasciviousness in opposition to me,” Meloto stated.
Bodily unattainable
He additionally argued that his extreme psoriasis and mobility points made any alleged sexual acts bodily unattainable.
The GK founder likewise vehemently denied the allegation that he was at all times accompanied by a pupil of his option to sleep within the Pool Villa.
“In actual fact, initially, I might solely frequent the farm twice or thrice every week, and after I transferred to the Pool Villa from the Bamboo Villa, the instances when college students would go to the Pool Villa or accompany me there was after they would swim or they might apply treatment on my psoriasis,” Meloto stated.
“I vehemently deny allegations on all counts of alleged masturbation of complainant by me within the Pool Villa of the GK Enchanted Farm. I deny having abused my authority in any method, extra so within the alleged fee of the stated acts of lasciviousness,” he added.
As for the allegation of trafficking, Meloto additionally denied that one of many complainants was his private assistant or that he had recruited him to be his secretary.
GK, which was formally established in 2003, was based by Meloto whose expertise in Bagong Silang, a relocation website for casual settlers, served because the roots for the nongovernmental group which aimed to assist Filipinos who didn’t personal properties or heaps.
In 2007, he stepped down as government director, taking up the function of the group’s unofficial world ambassador, visiting completely different international locations to develop partnerships with establishments and governments.
Citations acquired
After constructing quite a few GK properties and communities, Meloto began the GK Enchanted Farm in 2012, and in 2014, the SEED Program, which goals to “make rich entrepreneurs out of the brightest of the Filipino poor.”
In 2021, he stated he retired from GK in 2017 to turn into a farmer in Bulacan.
Meloto has acquired a number of prestigious awards for his service and work in GK.
In 2006, he was awarded the primary Gawad Haydee Yorac award, which acknowledges the attributes, private work ethics and nationwide service of leaders from the non-public sector, authorities service and volunteer organizations.
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That very same 12 months, Meloto gained the Ramon Magsaysay award for neighborhood management and, in 2011, he acquired an award from the Nikkei Asia Prizes for his dedication to bettering the dwelling circumstances of the poor. —with a report from Inquirer Analysis
