19 hours Ago
Non-government organization Gawad Kalinga said Tuesday an investigation was conducted on allegations of physical abuse filed against founder Tony Meloto and that the group extended assistance to these complainants in 2017. “The Board acted discreetly upon the request of the complainants to protect their privacy and keep the matter from the public. With the help of professionals, including a crisis interventionist and therapists, we also initiated a series of actions to care for the complainants,” Gawad Kalinga (GK) said in a statement signed by Executive Director Jose Luis M.
Oquinena. The statement was issued after two of the organization’s former beneficiaries filed complaints before the Department of Justice for the abuse they experienced in 2017. The victims filed a complaint for acts of lasciviousness, sexual harassment, and trafficking in persons against Meloto in 2024.
Meloto, in his counter-affidavit, said the accusations against him were baseless. “I strongly deny and refute under oath the allegations made by the Complainant for being baseless, false, malicious, and improperly filed against me..
.the filing of this criminal case was nothing but a harassment suit,” said Meloto, who also submitted a rejoinder affidavit and added three more witnesses to his defense on Monday. Gawad Kalinga, based on their website, has been focused on their mission on "building a nation empowered by people with faith and patriotism" for 20 years starting with youth ministry camp in Caloocan in 1995.
"2025 holds a special place in our history as Gawad Kalinga marks its 22-year journey of hope, heroism and transformation for thousands of families and individuals who have been inspired by our mission of building communities," Oquinena said. He related that the group expressed gratitude to contributions to "our beautiful tapestry of solidarity" that came in the form of building homes, sharing Kusina ng Kalinga meals, building relationships and genuine friendships during GK Bayani Challenge and build activities. "Through the years, we have celebrated many wins, but we have also powered through countless challenges together.
As your fellow GK leader, it is with a heavy heart that I must share with you the latest challenge that we face," said Oquinena, adding the account of Meloto's departure from the organization. "In 2017, several male SEED scholars who were part of the Spartan program complained and claimed that Mr. Tony Meloto, physically violated them.
The GK Board of Trustees conducted an internal investigation and subsequently Mr. Meloto tendered his resignation as Chairman of Gawad Kalinga, SEED Philippines and Enchanted Farm on October 26, 2017," he said. "The Board proceeded to act on his disengagement from all his official functions with the mission, which included the public announcement in January 2018," it added.
The work of the non-government organization continues, Oquinena assured. “Meanwhile, let us not allow this to discourage nor distract us from our very important work of creating communities and transforming lives now and in generations to come,” he said. “We remain committed with our partners to forge forward to build mighty currents of hope as we care for the poorest,” he added.
— Mariel Celine Serquiña/BAP, GMA Integrated News.
