Third appointee vows neutrality Gullas ally Gamaliel Vicente Jr. to assume TCC presidency

CEBU, Philippines- A known ally of former Cebu congressman Eduardo Gullas has been appointed by the Mayor Johnny V. de los Reyes-led Talisay City College Board of Trustees as the school's newest acting president.

De los Reyes set aside the political background of Gamaliel Vicente Jr. saying he was looking after the welfare of the students in the controversial city college.

Vicente is currently the dean of the University of the Visayas College of Engineering and Architecture. UV is owned and managed by the Gullas family.

In the last May 2013 elections, Gullas ran against De los Reyes but lost by 736 votes.

In an interview, Vicente vowed to remain neutral when he was asked how he would handle pressure from De los Reyes and the TCC board.

"I am a professional and I will stay neutral and the regulations of our education department should be followed so that both parties will not be offended or hurt," Vicente told The FREEMAN.

Last week, the BOT called for an emergency meeting in order to appoint a temporary caretaker of the city college following the resignation of Dr. Joseph Sol Galleon and the refusal of Ester Velasquez to accept the post.

Attending the meeting were De los Reyes, who sits as chairman; city schools division Superintendent Woodrow Denuyo as secretary; City Councilor Edward Alesna; former city vice mayor Alan Bucao for the Talisay City Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Dr. Victor Villaganas, acting president of the Cebu Technological University; and lawyer Pat Acabodillo representing Cebu first district Representative Gerald Anthony Gullas.

Absent were Dr. Marcelo Lopez, president of the Cebu Normal University; Talisay City Councilor Francis Richard Aznar, who is the City Council's chairman of the committee on education; Commission on Higher Education regional director Dr. Freddie Bernal and city treasurer Emma Macuto.

Vicente is now waiting for his appointment papers before assuming the position in an acting capacity. He is the third official to be appointed to the post within one month since Galleon was offered the post mid-June.

With his new appointment, Vicente will now be handling three positions. Aside from being the dean of the University of the Visayas College of Engineering and Architecture and TCC's acting president, he is also Talisay City's acting city engineer.

Vicente pointed out that the three positions he is now handling are all related to his profession and eligibility.

Vicente said proper time management and setting the priorities right are keys to handling his multiple positions. "I am working full-time in the Talisay City government so working at TCC is not an issue, while I am only working part-time as dean," Vicente said.

According to Vicente, the city government saves money from his appointment as acting TCC president because he will only be receiving his salary as assistant city engineer.

As acting city engineer, Vicente is receiving more than P40,000 in wages while the TCC president is receiving not more than P35,000.

"I would be most thankful to Mayor JVR and the BOT if they give me an allowance as acting TCC president, of course, as allowed by law," he added.

Vicente holds a doctorate degree in management and a master's degree in public administration from the University of the Visayas.

"Most of all, I am Career Service Executive Eligible, the highest form of eligibility in the Philippine government for the positions of secretaries, undersecretaries and regional directors. Being a dean has given me the needed experiences in the field of education. So we could say I am not new to these positions," Vicente said.

"What matters most is that all of us in TCC will do our share and help each other for the good of the school, students, alumni and their parents," he added.

De los Reyes said he wants to give Vicente the chance to prove that he is worth of the new position.