Former Talisay mayor to face criminal raps

CEBU, Philippines - Former Talisay City mayor Johny V. Delos Reyes will be facing criminal charges for allegedly appointing an acting president for the Talisay City College without the authority of the Board of Trustees.

Following evaluation of the complaints, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales has ordered the filing of charges against Delos Reyes for falsification.

However, since Delos Reyes is no longer in government service after he was defeated by Mayor Eduardo Gullas in the May 9 election, the former mayor will be criminally charged before the court.

 Morales said based on the minutes of the meeting of the Board of Trustees conducted on December 10, 2013, it was clear that the BOT gave no authority to Delos Reyes to appoint a new college president or even to designate an officer-in-charge.

 But even if he was not authorized to appoint a new college president, Delos Reyes appointed Dr. Paulus Mariae Cañete to head the city-owned college to replace former TCC president Richel Bacaltos.

Delos Reyes opposed having Bacaltos as head of the TCC, saying Bacaltos was not fit for the position because he did not have a doctorate degree. 

However, Morales said Delos Reyes was taking advantage of his position.

 "As public officer, being then a city mayor of Talisay City, as well as chairman of the BOT of the TCC, Delos Reyes clearly took advantage of his official position when he issued the executive order," Morales said.

The Ombudsman also found Delos Reyes liable for simple dishonesty and issued a stern warning that a repetition of the same or similar offense would be dealt with more severely.

The Freeman tried but failed to reach the former mayor for his comment. (FREEMAN)