Gawad Kalinga faces serious allegations against founder Tony Meloto

Gawad Kalinga (GK), once a leading organization in social development, faces serious allegations against its founder, Tony Meloto. Two former scholars have accused him of sexual harassment and trafficking, with complaints filed in 2024 regarding incidents from 2017. Meloto has denied the allegations, calling them a harassment suit. GK acknowledged an internal investigation and stated it has taken steps to support the complainants. Meloto resigned from his leadership roles in 2017. This situation raises concerns about accountability within nonprofits, especially in light of recent funding challenges and past scandals. GK's response to these allegations will be crucial in determining its future reputation and legacy.