School mess taken to Congress

CEBU, Philippines - The tug-of-war for leadership of the Talisay City College (TCC) has already reached the House of Representatives.

This was after Assistant Majority Leader and Cebu first district Representative Gerald Anthony “Samsam” Gullas Jr. filed a resolution calling for a congressional inquiry, in aid of legislation, on the college having two acting presidents—Ritchel Bacaltos and Dr. Paulus Mariae Cañete.

The TCC Board of Trustees  backed Bacaltos’ appointment as president while Cañete was appointed by Talisay City Mayor Johnny Delos Reyes, supposedly to replace Bacaltos.

“There is urgent need for this August body to… conduct an inquiry in aid of legislation over the issue of the Talisay City College having two acting presidents,” said Gullas in House Resolution No. 1117 filed last Wednesday.

Gullas said Delos Reyes appointed Cañete without any authority from the BOT.

Last March 20, the BOT confirmed Bacaltos as acting president and authorized to confer the degrees, diplomas and titles of the students who graduated last March 26.

Last March 31, however, Cañete also held his own graduation even without authority from the BOT.

“The unlawful appointment of Paulus Mariae Cañete without authority from the Board of Trustees has created confusion and discord among the students, their parents and faculty of Talisay City College,” Gullas said.

Bacaltos and Cañete also set up two separate enrolments, adding more confusion to the situation.

Gullas said that with the school about to open in June, the situation was made more problematic by the two enrolment schedules.

Cañete’s camp has positioned an enrolment desk at the school’s entrance while Bacaltos’ group has set up an enrolment desk at the second floor of the school building.

Last Wednesday, the Regional Trial Court dismissed for lack of jurisdiction the civil case Bacaltos filed and instead granted the motion for reconsideration requested by Delos Reyes and Cañete.

Judge Estela Alma Singco was convinced Bacaltos failed to exhaust all administrative remedies before bringing the matter before the court.

Bacaltos requested the court to stop the takeover, saying that the mayor’s act of replacing him was illegal, citing Sangguniang Panlungsod Ordinance No. 2008-11 that was enacted on Dec. 10, 2008.

Under the said ordinance, only the BOT has the authority to designate an officer-in-charge of the school.

Singco, though, said the issue falls under the jurisdiction of the Civil Service Commission considering  that the TCC is a government institution.  (FREEMAN)