Tension looms in City College: Bacaltos, registrar offices closed by “men of mayor”

CEBU, Philippines - Tension is now brewing at the controversial Talisay City College after Mayor Johnny De los Reyes ordered the  closure of the office of acting city college president Ritchel Bacaltos last Wednesday night.

Bacaltos and his staff were surprised yesterday morning when they were informed that their respective offices, the president's office and the registrar's, have been closed by a group of male individuals only identified as "men of the mayor."

In an interview with the reporters, Bacaltos said he already consulted his lawyer on what action to take after learning the incident, once more reiterating that the issue on presidency at the city college has yet to be resolved in the court.

Bacaltos said that with this closure, he was worried with the status of some graduating students who have yet to be evaluated for graduation.

"As I said, I am willing to step down if the Talisay City College Board of Trustees will pass a resolution appointing another individual to manage the campus," Bacaltos said, adding that it is only the BOT that can replace him based on the city ordinance.

De los Reyes earlier appointed Dr. Paulus Marie Cañete as the school's officer-in-charge through an executive order.

After the closure  last Wednesday night, Dr. Emedio Bustillo, Dr. Elmer Repalda and Dr. Russel Fullozos went to Talisay City Police and indicated on a police blotter that they closed  the two offices as per instruction of city administrator John Yre De los Reyes and city legal officer Alfredo Sipalay.

Bustillo, designated as spokesperson of Cañete, told reporters that the mayor ordered them to close the two offices since Bacaltos is not anymore the president of the campus.

Bustillo said that Bacaltos is wasting the money of the city since he is not the duly-authorized official of the school.

Some policemen were sighted in the school premises yesterday. Reportedly, the police were there to guard the campus and to prevent Bacaltos from entering.

Forcing himself  to enter would make Bacaltos vulnerable to be filed with charges, Bustillo said.

The city government said the college fiasco won't hamper graduation rites since they already have the records of the graduating students. The graduation is scheduled on April 11.

Despite the commotion yesterday, classes of  more or less 2,000 TCC students went on.

Sipalay in a statement said the instruction to close the offices came from the mayor. He said that the mayor erupted after Bacaltos did not comply with his promise to step down gracefully and instead filed charges against the mayor and Cañete.

Sipalay said that the action of the mayor would not affect his administration since they have already studied well the legalities surrounding the issue.

In a separate interview with The FREEMAN, Vice Mayor Romeo Villarante said the mayor showed his real personality – "a dictator and (someone who) never respects the law of the land."

"That is abuse of authority on the mayor's part. There is still a pending case in court. Why can't the mayor wait?" the vice mayor said, adding that the court clearly states that while the case is still pending, the status quo shall be observed by two parties. (FREEMAN)