Over P260T in salaries remain due

CEBU, Philippines - As of yesterday, around 35 job order workers and non-teaching personnel of Talisay City College have not received their honoraria for the month of January.

The honoraria were not released because the city budget office has not received any employment contract obligations.

In an interview with the reporters, city budget officer Edgar Mabunay said he has no plan on withholding the honoraria of job order workers but they have to comply with the necessary documents needed for liquidation.

Some non-teaching personnel receive P6,500 and above per month, Mabunay said.

"Wala nato sweldohi kay wala man sila'y contract nga gi-attach sa payroll (Their wages have not been processed since no contract was attached to the payroll). What we only have is their daily time record," Mabunay said.

The city budget has already appropriated the amount of P264,500 for the unpaid honoraria of the 35 job order and non-teaching personnel at the city college.

JVR to wait

In another development, Talisay City Mayor Johnny de los Reyes in his regular press conference yesterday said he will only convene the TCC Board of Trustees based on the outcome of the civil petition filed by acting TCC president Ritchel Bacaltos before the Regional Trial Court.

The petition, which will be heard in court tomorrow, is against Paulus Cañete and De los Reyes on account of the latter's installation of the former as the new school president.

Bacaltos asked the court to issue an order enjoining the respondents from "reporting and holding office in the school premises." He said he decided to go to court since "we stand for what is right and just."

"I will wait for advice of our city legal office or I will just wait for the outcome of the petition filed against me by Mr. Bacaltos," the mayor said.

De los Reyes also said the students should not be confused as to who is the school president.

"It's Paulus Cañete, dili naman angayan libugon pa. Siya man ang duly-recognized nako as president," De los Reyes said.

The mayor, who sits as chairman of the board of the city college, remained firm, saying he can replace Bacaltos any time as the college official sits only in an acting capacity.

De los Reyes also said Bacaltos is not qualified for the position since he is not a holder of a doctorate degree and was a "midnight" appointee in the last days in office of then mayor Socrates Fernandez. (FREEMAN)