Masbate school head probed over viral attack on lawmakers

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) is investigating a school principal in Masbate for attacking two party-list lawmakers on social media.

The Schools Division Office (SDO) of Masbate said the probe against Randy Emmanuel Bulanon, principal of the Dimasalang National High School, stemmed from a viral post, particularly a caricature of Akbayan party-list Rep. Percival Cendeña, which mocked the lawmaker’s physical appearance.

The SDO-Masbate said the probe is in compliance with a DepEd order on media management guidelines, which promotes accurate, responsible, ethical and professional public communication.

“Validation process is being undertaken fairly and objectively while respecting the rights of all persons involved, and following existing DepEd policies and applicable rules,” the SDO said.

DepEd said the act or statement under validation is considered isolated and personal in nature, and must not be construed as representing the principles, policies and institutional character of the SDO-Masbate.

The public has been urged to allow the validation and verification process to proceed before making any conclusion on the matter.

The National Council on Disability Affairs has condemned the depiction of Cendeña in the caricature, describing it as a “demeaning, mocking and highly offensive manner.”

Aside from Cendeña, Akbayan party-list Rep. Chel Diokno and lawyer Jesus Falcis have been the subjects of online attacks by Bulanon, who has issued a public apology for his posts.