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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Athena Imperial filed an acts of lasciviousness complaint against Nico Waje on May 13, 2026. Per documents obtained by Philippine Star, she accused her former GMA colleague of violating Article 336 of the Revised Penal Code and Republic Act No. 11313.
Republic Act No. 11313, known as the Safe Spaces Act, is a Philippine law that penalizes gender-based sexual harassment. Imperial’s complaint cites it alongside Article 336 of the Revised Penal Code, which covers acts of lasciviousness under Philippine criminal law. The two provisions form the complaint’s legal basis.
Athena Imperial is a senior correspondent at GMA News. She first entered the national spotlight in 2011, when she won Miss Philippines Earth and was later named Miss Earth-Water that same year, before building her career in Philippine broadcast journalism.
Nico Waje is a former GMA News reporter who left the network in 2025 amid claims that also involved Athena Imperial. He has not issued a public statement on the acts of lasciviousness case, and his social media accounts have been disabled.
Imperial’s counsel, Aloi Renz P. Santos of APS Law, said in an official statement that she is not acting solely on her own behalf, and that incidents of this kind should no longer be dismissed or tolerated in any workplace or profession.
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