Dionisio Lidres, the substitute teacher from Balamban, Cebu
Magdalane P. Echavez, a public school teacher of Biasong Elementary School at Balamban, Cebu applied, for and was granted maternity leave beginning the first school day of January 1954 and ending on March 1, 1954. To fill up the vacancy expected to be created by the leave of Mrs. Echavez, two teachers, namely: Josita Diotay and Dionisio Lidres filed their respective applications as substitute teachers.
On December 30, 1953, Miss Josita Diotay was recommended by supervising teacher of Biasong Elementary School Mr. Hilario Laspinas to fill up the position of Mrs. Echavez.
Mr. Laspinas however requested Josita Diotay to sign an agreement to take over Mrs. Echavez position on a "50-50" basis, that is, the period from January 1954 would be equally divided between Diotay and Lidres. Thereafter Josita Diotay received her appointment as substitute teacher of Mrs. Echavez effective January 4, 1954.
Josita Diotay then took over the job of Mrs. Echavez and began teaching the second grade of Biasong Elementary School, Balamban, Cebu.
On February 12, 1954, Dionisio Lidres on the strength of the agreement signed between the latter and Diotay, appeared at Biasong Elementary School, armed with a prepared letter of resignation for the signature of Josita Diotay. Mr. Lidrdes asked that Diotay sign the letter of resignation, but the latter refused.
Then on February 22, 1954 Lidres went to the classroom where Diotay was conducting her class and insisted that he take over the same but Diotay refused. This was what happened, Josita Diotay taught on two rows of pupils while Lidres taught on the other two remaining rows.
The principal, Mr. Exequiel Tecson advised Diotay to go back to the classroom and insist that she continue teaching the class. The following day, Diotay and Lidres were summoned by the Mr. Hilario Laspinas for a conference in Cebu City. Laspinas, the supervising teacher, told Diotay to continue teaching while Lidres was advised not to go back to school. Teacher Lidres despite the instruction came back to the school and held class.
This was the basis for the filing of a case against Dionisio Lidres with the Court of First Instance for the crime of usurpation of official functions and penalized under Republic Act 10. Lidres pleaded not guilty during the arraignment and after trial, he was found guilty for the crime charged and was sentenced to suffer a penalty of imprisonment from 3 years to 5 years. Lidres posted bail to secure his freedom.
Dionisio Lidres appealed his conviction before the Supreme Court and on July 26, 1960, the decision of the Court of First Instance was reversed and Lidres acquitted for the crime charged against him.
Dionisio Lidres was assisted by his fellow Balambanon lawyer, Santos A. Migallos Jr. who was admitted to the Bar on March 24, 1952. The father of Santos Migallos Jr., Santos L. Migallos Sr. was the first lawyer of Balamban, Cebu. The senior was admitted to the Bar on February 6, 1939. Santos Sr. became mayor of Balamban and guerilla leader during World War II and had the rank of captain.
Another Migallos, Rizalina A. Migallos, also became mayor of Balamban, Rizalina organized the "Balamban Ladies Loyalty League" in 1942. Its function was to help the guerillas against the invading Japanese Army. Among many of its notable members were Cirili Roperos, Maria Lily Rondez del Fierro, Rufina Dumdum, Teodora Lim Miel, Paulina A. Acuna, Aurelia U. Bunagan, Arlinda Yballe Dumdum, and Mrs. Maria Lim Gonzalez.
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