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Women advocates oppose Belagan reinstatement

BAGUIO CITY (Jan. 21)—Innabuyog-Gabriela together with the victims and their lawyer criticized the reinstatement of Dr. Allyson Belagan as Department of Education (DepEd) Baguio City Schools Superintendent after being convicted in a Supreme Court (SC) decision on counts of sexual harassment.

In a press conference earlier this week, Atty. Alex Bangsoy of the Gabriela Legal Support Group and legal counsel of the victims expressed opposition to Belagan’s reinstatement. He disclosed that one of Belagan’s defenses in 1994 (when the case was filed) was that he is intended to retire. He said Belagan would be 66 years old come February 14. “Why reinstatement, kung ilang buwan na lang ang ilalagi?” he asked.

In addition, Bangsoy said there is a motion for reconsideration at the SC questioning the one-year suspension penalty given Belagan. “It is a mere slap in the wrist,” he lamented. He added that Belagan’s 37 years of service is not enough basis to “mitigate” his offense.

Aside from the pending motion for reconsideration filed at the SC, Bangsoy said that another sexual harassment case against Belagan was filed at the Civil Service Commission. “I am not at liberty to discuss the case at present but there is a pending sexual harassment case against him,” he said.

Bangsoy also questioned the DepEd’s decision to reinstate Belagan. “This is DepEd where values should be formed, kaya mas mabigat sa loob,” he declared. He added that they are going to write DepEd Secretary Florencio Abad to inform him about their disapproval of Belagan’s reinstatement. He said that Belagan’s appointment came from Abad.

Innabuyog Secretary General Vernie Yocogan-Diano stressed that the reinstatement of Belagan is “a big injustice” to the victims and their supporters. She added that the said reinstatement is “insensitive” to the sufferings of the women victims. “His reinstatement is rubbing more salt to the wound,” she said.

Diano criticized the DepEd for reinstating an official guilty of immoral acts and violence against women. “Are there no more sound and qualified persons for this position?” she queried.

Moreover, Diano criticized the SC ruling that allowed Belagan to get back all his benefits. “He practically went on leave with pay,” she said.

According to Diano, Innabuyog and the victims want Belagan recalled and should not be given any position in government. “Instead of getting punished, he got rewarded. Where is justice in this case?” She asked.

Mrs. Magdalena Gapuz, one of the victims expressed disappointment over the reinstatement of Belagan during the same press conference. “I don’t think it is fair na bumalik siya,” she lamented. She admitted that it is very painful for her to know that Belagan is back where he was ten years ago.

Gapuz called on all other victims of sexual harassment not only of Belagan to come out in the open and be one in fighting violence against women. # Kim. N. Quitasol for NORDIS

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