MANILA, Philippines — The complaint filed by GMA News reporter Athena Imperial against her former colleague Nico Waje has been recommended for dismissal by the Quezon City Office of the City Prosecutor, marking a major development in the legal dispute that began earlier this year.
The complaints involved alleged acts of lasciviousness under Article 336 of the Revised Penal Code and an alleged violation of Section 16(c), Article IV of Republic Act No. 11313, or the Safe Spaces Act.
A copy of the prosecutor’s resolution was shared with GMA News Online by Waje’s wife, Leinel Waje, who confirmed the development on August 17.
The resolution recommended that both complaints against Waje be dismissed. Reports from multiple Philippine news outlets subsequently confirmed the development, although the legal distinction is important: the dismissal came from the public prosecutor’s office and was not a court ruling.
Waje’s camp reacts
Waje’s lead counsel, lawyer Leo Lalusis, welcomed the prosecutor’s resolution.
“We are pleased that, after due proceedings, Mr. Waje has been fully vindicated of these charges,” Lalusis said in a statement reported by GMA News.
The lawyer also expressed gratitude for the prosecutor’s handling of the case and said the camp remained hopeful that other pending matters would be resolved accordingly.
As of the latest reports, Imperial had not yet issued a formal public statement responding to the prosecutor’s resolution.
How the case started
Imperial filed the complaints against Waje before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office on May 13, 2026.
Her legal counsel, Atty. Aloi Renz Santos of APS Law, confirmed the filing at the time but did not publicly disclose the detailed allegations contained in the complaint.
Imperial said pursuing legal action was not an easy decision and that she had taken time to reflect before coming forward.
The case attracted significant public attention because both Imperial and Waje had worked as journalists at GMA News.
Waje later submitted a counter-affidavit
On June 19, Waje formally submitted his counter-affidavit before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office.
He was accompanied by his wife and legal counsel. His lawyer said at the time that Waje maintained his innocence and was prepared to answer the allegations, while declining to disclose the contents of the counter-affidavit because the matter was already before prosecutors.
The filing meant the case had entered the stage where prosecutors would evaluate the competing submissions before determining whether the complaints should proceed.
What the dismissal means
The prosecutor’s recommendation represents a significant development for Waje, but it does not mean a court found him not guilty.
There has been no trial verdict reported in the matter. Instead, the prosecutor handling the preliminary proceedings recommended dismissal of the complaints.
The parties may still avail themselves of remedies available under the rules, including seeking reconsideration.
That distinction is especially important because an earlier version of a Philstar report described the matter as a court dismissal. Philstar subsequently corrected the report and clarified that the action was taken by the public prosecutor, not a court.
Another legal matter remains in the picture
When Imperial initially filed her complaint, reports also noted that another former GMA employee had filed a separate complaint involving Waje.
Because those are separate proceedings, the dismissal of Imperial’s complaint should not automatically be interpreted as resolving every legal matter involving Waje.
Waje’s lawyer likewise referred to other potentially pending matters in his statement following the prosecutor’s resolution.
What happens next?
For now, the key development is the prosecutor’s recommendation to dismiss the complaints involving acts of lasciviousness and the alleged Safe Spaces Act violation.
The next significant development could come if either party seeks reconsideration or pursues another remedy allowed under the rules.
For Imperial, meanwhile, her response to the resolution remains awaited.
The case may have reached a major turning point — but legally, the latest resolution does not necessarily mark the final word.
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