If you take the Present Habitual form and replace the ending “-o³ɂi” with “-v³ɂi” or “-e³ɂi” you create the Past Progressive form. This form indicates an action that was ongoing at a certain point in the past.
☞ Note how this matches “ᎨᏐᎢ (gesoi) - often is being”, “ᎨᏒᎢ (gesvi) - was being”, and “ᎨᏎᎢ (gesei) - was reportedly being”.