An administrative complaint under the Safe Spaces Act is what suspended lawyer Jesus Falcis III said he would pursue against a Masbate school principal, escalating a controversy that has now drawn a formal Department of Education (DepEd) inquiry.
Falcis announced his intent on Aug. 23, pointing to a post whose caption referred to him as “Jesus Falcis… Lobutin.” He framed the material as falling under the law’s provisions on gender-based online sexual harassment.
“Randy Emmanuel Villar Bulanon, do you know that what you posted about what you want to happen to me is a violation of the Safe Spaces Act under the section on gender-based online sexual harassment? You are a principal. I will file an administrative complaint with DepEd,” Falcis said.
The official at the center of the matter is Randy Emmanuel Villar Bulanon, who heads Dimasalang National High School under the Schools Division Office (SDO) of Masbate. His personal Facebook account reportedly featured content naming Akbayan Party-list Representatives Perci Cendaña and Chel Diokno alongside Falcis. One item tied to Cendaña carried the single word “Deserve!!!” and was attached to a shared post in which the lawmaker argued that disabilities ought not serve as punchlines — a reaction connected to a separate dispute over an artist who allegedly portrayed Cendaña in exactly that manner.
By Aug. 24, Bulanon had released an apology printed on DepEd letterhead, directing his words to Falcis, Diokno, and Cendaña for the captions attached to his posts and reposts. He described the apology as sincere and respectful, and said he took full responsibility for both his conduct and what it meant for his standing as a school head and a member of the DepEd community.
“I am prepared to face whatever appropriate consequences may be imposed in accordance with existing laws, rules, policies, and procedures of the Department of Education,” Bulanon said.
Responding the same day through a Facebook post, Akbayan Party-list said it took note of the apology but held that the damage to persons with disabilities remained.
“We recognize the apology, but it does not erase the harm caused, absolve anyone of responsibility, or diminish our resolve to pursue full accountability,” the group said.
SDO Masbate Province addressed the situation in a statement issued Monday, describing the case as under investigation and being handled with due process, fairness, and accountability. The office characterized the conduct under review as an isolated personal matter that should not be read as a reflection of the division’s values, policies, or institutional character — among them its stated commitments to nondiscrimination, impartiality, and political neutrality.
“The SDO Masbate Province likewise appeals to the public to allow the ongoing validation and verification process to proceed and to await its proper conclusion before making any final conclusions regarding the matter,” it said.
The episode unfolds against a backdrop of recent guidance from the department. On Aug. 11, DepEd circulated a memorandum calling on teachers, administrators, and other staff to maintain proper conduct online, prompted by reports of behavior it deemed inconsistent with professional standards. That memorandum pointed to DepEd Order No. 049, s. 2022 — an amendment to DO No. 047, s. 2022 concerning professionalism in delivering basic education services. Signed Nov. 2, 2022, the order lays out how personnel should conduct themselves on social media, whether for personal or official use, and instructs them to follow relevant laws and to guard against spreading false or misleading content.
“DepEd officials and employees are expected to treat learners and stakeholders with the highest degree of professionalism, skill, and excellence, respect the rights of others, and desist from acts that may compromise their integrity as government employees or the honor of DepEd,” the order said.
Attempts to view Bulanon’s Facebook account found it inaccessible, with no clarity on whether it had been deactivated, removed, or otherwise taken down.
