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SC declares ex DECS superintendent guilty of sexual harassment

BAGUIO CITY (Dec. 10) — After ten long years or court battle, the Supreme Court (SC) declared the perpetrator, former DECS Superintendent Allyson Belagan guilty of sexual harassment and indignities. In a 27 page decision promulgated last October 19, Belagan was sentenced to a one-year suspension from office.

According to the said decision, despite Belagan’s offence his “unblemished” 37 years of government service and numerous awards should be recognized.

Innabuyog-Gabriela, a militant women’s organization thinks otherwise.

Vernie Yocogan-Diano, secretary general of Innabuyog expressed disappointment over the penalty given to Belagan. She even mentioned that dismissal would have been the more appropriate penalty.

However, Diano stressed that even if the penalty is imperceptible, the victims already “won by breaking the silence.” She declared that “sexual abuse is a public concern and nothing to be ashamed of.”

In a society that does not treat victims of sexual abuses very kindly; two women broke their silence and exposed the immoral actions of a high ranking official in the Department of Education Culture and Sports (DECS).

Ligaya Annawi and Magdalena Gapuz braved the disapproving eye of society and the tedious legal process. They endured going through that awful experience over and over as they tell and retell their story at the witness stand.

Atty. Alex Bangsoy from the Gabriela legal support group who handled the case looks at the decision as a step forward to end violence against women.

Bangsoy reiterated that the courage of the victims is victory in itself. He said it should be remembered that the victims filed a case against a high ranking official when years before the sexual harassment law was passed.

According to Bangsoy the SC ruling is a landmark decision. He explained that the said decision affirmed that the reputation of a woman in a rape or sexual harassment case is irrelevant. He added that the Supreme Court decision mentioned that even prostitutes can be victims of sexual abuse.

“We should not be discouraged, we should take it one step at a time,” Bangsoy concluded. # Kim Quitasol for NORDIS

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