At last, board convenes; Bacaltos declared head

CEBU, Philippines - The highly anticipated convention of the Board of Trustees in an attempt to put an end to the Talisay City College presidency mess finally happened yesterday afternoon.

And as far as the BOT was concerned, they will recognize and honor Ritchel Bacaltos as the city college acting president even if the matter is still under court litigation.

In a two-hour closed-door meeting at the Commission on Higher Education office, the majority members of the BOT reaffirmed Bacaltos' appointment and set aside the executive order issued by Mayor Johnny De los Reyes appointing Dr. Paulus Mariae Cañete.

De los Reyes, chairman of the board, did not show up at the meeting and instead sent his city legal officer Alfredo Sipalay and executive secretary Solomon Paypa.

However, they were not allowed to join the meeting as it was earlier informed by the board secretary Woodrow Denuyo that no representative will be included in the discussion.

Of the 11 members of the board, eight were present, namely Bacaltos, who is the vice-chairman, Cebu First District Rep. Gerald Anthony Gullas, Denuyo, City Councilors Richard Francis Aznar and Edward Alesna, Cebu Normal University College president Marcelo Lopez and Commission on Higher Education regional director Freddie Bernal.

Absent were De los Reyes, city treasurer Emma Macuto and Cebu Technological University president Victor Villegas.

"Ang nakalagay sa city ordinance ay kailangang Board of Trustees ang mag-appoint ng presidente. I told you on record that it is Ritchel Bacaltos," Bernal said, adding that they will only follow what is stipulated in the city ordinance.

The meeting reportedly centered on two items: 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.

Aznar said the graduation will be on March 26. "Klaro man kaayo nga si Ritchel Bacaltos ang maoy mo-confirm ug recognized sa BOT," Aznar said.

Aznar, chairman of the committee on education, said the students should no longer be confused since the majority of the BOT already recognized Bacaltos as legitimate college president.

In a separate interview, De los Reyes labeled the meeting as "moro-moro."

"Wala ko miara kay moro-moro. Napatik na daan ang desisyon sa board kung kinsa ang ilang pilion," De los Reyes said, as he insisted that he will not recognize Bacaltos because he will wait for the court decision.

But Gullas said the meeting was not "moro-moro" since the decision was not reached based solely on one person but by majority.

Separately, Bacaltos, who presided the meeting, said he opted not to participate in the discussion since the issue involves him.

"Mao mana ang desisyon sa BOT, atong tumanon," he said, adding that he is now preparing for the annual commencement exercises on March 26.

Bacaltos said he will be the one to confirm the degrees and diplomas of 726 candidates for graduation. (FREEMAN)