ZARAGOZA, Nueva Ecija – A group of parents and students are seeking the ouster of the principal of a public high school here over alleged assault on homosexuals and use of government resources for personal interests.
Charito Pili, spokesperson of the federated Parents-Teachers Association of Zaragoza National High School here, said they would stage a series of protest rallies until Mrs. Nila Mactal, the school principal, is removed from her position.
The group has held two demonstrations in front of the school in Barangay San Rafael here, the latest was on Monday.
Pili said Mactal has been detailed to at least five schools in different municipalities under the Nueva Ecija Schools division but some parents and students have also protested her management that supposedly resulted to her transfer.
A 17-year-old student said she and her fellow homosexuals have suffered the “cruel” attacks of Mactal in one of the school programs.
“Kailangan po ba’ng hiyain kami sa harapan,” the 4th year high school student who claimed to be a lesbian asked.
She alleged that Mactal offended them by saying they should not wear polo shirts and pants, the prescribed attire for boys, because they have female genitals.
Mactal allegedly assailed gays in female uniform with almost the same lines, she alleged.
Mactal was reportedly on a meeting at the division office in Cabanatuan City when the rally was held on Thursday.
But Cirilo Bala, Jr., head of social sciences department, denied the charges against Mactal. He said he never heard the principal uttering such words.
“Sa akin pong kaalaman ay walang sinabing gano’n ang aming punong guro,” said Bala.
“Ang sinasabi lang niya, nire-remind niya yung mga sabihin na nating third sex ay pinapaalalahanan lang na maging maayos din,” he said.
Unsigned statements released by the group alleged that Mactal has allegedly been using the school van and driver in going to Clark in Angeles City, Pampanga to buy groceries and going to and from her residence.
Pili said they have recently filed a petition before the DepEd Division office. “Pero wala pang aksiyon kaya kahit makarating kami sa national office, gagawin namin,” she said.
Bala expressed belief that the actions against their principal is a result of strict implementation of rules in the school. “May nasasagasaan kapag may ipinapatupad na tuntunin at ‘yun ang dahilan sa iba para gawin nila ‘yun (protest),” Bala said.
Mactal is reportedly on her seventh month in ZNHS.
