On May 13, GMA-7 reporter Athena Imperial filed an acts of lasciviousness case against her former colleague, Nico Waje. According to documents obtained by Philippine Star, Imperial accused Waje of violating Article 336 of the Revised Penal Code, as well as Republic Act No. 11313 or the Safe Spaces Act, which penalizes gender-based sexual harassment.
“Ms. Imperial-Rodriguez comes forward not only for herself,” wrote the journalist’s counsel, Aloi Renz P. Santos of APS Law, in an official statement on the case. “She believes that incidents of this nature can no longer be ignored, minimized, or tolerated in any workplace, profession, or industry.”
Imperial is a senior correspondent at GMA News. Prior to this, she entered the national spotlight after first winning Miss Philippines Earth 2011, and then Miss Earth-Water that same year.
Waje was a former reporter at the news network, but left in 2025 amid claims also involving Imperial. As of writing, Waje has yet to release a public statement on the case. His social media platforms have also been disabled.
