Board continues to recognize Bacaltos

CEBU, Philippines -  The Board of Trustees of the controversial Talisay City College continues to acknowledge the legitimacy of acting college president Ritchel Bacaltos, according to a letter written by the board secretary Woodrow Denuyo.

Denuyo, also the city's schools division superintendent, sent notices to all members of the TCC board to attend in this afternoon's closed-door meeting at the Commission on Higher Education office in Barangay Lahug, Cebu City.

Mayor Johnny De los Reyes, who is the sitting chairman of the board, has confirmed his attendance. He will preside the meeting.

In the one-page notice, the board is to discuss two items, namely the confirmation of the degrees, titles and diplomas to the 2014 graduates and the giving of authority to Bacaltos to confirm the 2014 college graduates.

In an interview with The FREEMAN, Bacaltos confirmed receiving copy of the notice.

"Yes, I received my notice and I will attend tomorrow's (today, March 20) meeting. The notice will speak for itself… I am recognized by the BOT (as president)," Bacaltos said.

Sources said that Cañete did not receive the same correspondence and that all members of the BOT will attend including Cebu First District Rep. Gerald Anthony "Samsam" Gullas, who sits as an honorary member of the board.

Students preparing for the annual commencement exercises are still left with two graduation dates and speculations are rife that they may be handed two sets of diplomas separately signed by Bacaltos and Cañete.

But Bacaltos said that the 726 college students who are looking forward to receive their diplomas are assured to graduate. He said graduation is set on April 11 and not March 31 as insisted by Cañete.

Bacaltos said the April 11 schedule was not set by him but instead based on the school calendar of activities.

Cañete was appointed TCC officer-in-charge by De los Reyes replacing Bacaltos, who has been defying his removal from office.

Bacaltos admitted that he is not a holder of a doctorate degree, a requirement to be the college president, but he pointed out that his position allows it because he is only sitting in acting capacity until such time the BOT will appoint a permanent college president.

For his part, Cañete said that because he was appointed by the mayor to run TCC, the students must approach him for the signing of their transcript of records.

However, Bacaltos said Cañete must observe a "status quo" because the petition he filed against the De los Reyes before the court has not been resolved.   (FREEMAN)