The principal of a public high school in Masbate province has apologized for his derogatory remarks online against Akbayan Representatives Chel Diokno and Percival Cendaña, and lawyer Jesus Falcis.
In his earlier posts on a now-deactivated Facebook account, Randy Emmanuel Villar Bulanon, the principal of Dimasalang National High School, made disparaging remarks about Falcis’ sexuality and ridiculed the physical appearances of Diokno and Cendaña, a stroke survivor.
On Monday, Bulanon issued an apology through the school’s Facebook page to Falcis, Diokno and Cendaña and several other individuals and groups, saying he should have ‘exercised greater prudence, restraint, and discernment’ in his social media posts, ‘especially considering my responsibilities as a school principal.’
Bulanon also apologized to the Department of Education (DepEd), the school community and stakeholders. ‘As a school head, I fully recognized that my words, actions and social media activities may be perceived as reflective not only of myself as an individual but also of the position and institution I represent,’ he said.
According to him, he was ready to face ‘whatever appropriate consequences may be imposed in accordance with existing laws, rules, policies and procedures of the Department of Education.’
In a statement, the DepEd Masbate School Division Office said the ‘matter is being properly addressed in accordance with due process, fairness and accountability