On Talisay City College Fiasco samsam to JVR: "End it"

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu First District Rep. Gerald Anthony "Samsam" Gullas, Jr. urged Talisay City Mayor Johnny De los Reyes to convene the Board of Trustees (BOT) of the Talisay City College to finally put an end to the issue on who should run the school as its president.

It can be recalled that earlier this week, Paulus Cañete was appointed by De los Reyes as the new president of TCC under an executive order, a move which incumbent (or outgoing) president Ritchel Bacaltos vehemently slammed.

Allegedly appointing Cañete through an executive order was illegal, according to Vice Mayor Romeo Villarante, because it did not follow the process of requiring the BOT to pass a resolution that the service of Bacaltos was no longer needed and that he would be replaced.

Aside from this, Bacaltos maintained that under his contract, he should be given notice 30 days before the new appointment should take effect.

Gullas, who is a member of  BOT in an interview with reporters, urged De los Reyes to convene the BOT for a meeting to put an end the Talisay City fiasco.

De los Reyes, as the mayor, sits as the chairman of  BOT.

According to Gullas, the students might be affected by the current situation of TCC.

Gullas said that even if the mayor is the chairman of the board, no executive order can rule to pull Bacaltos out his post. Gullas said the decision of BOT is needed and should prevail.

He said that he is willing to attend the meeting if the BOT will be convened to make a final decision on the latest situation of TCC.

Gullas hopes that the situation will not lead to litigations. (FREEMAN)