Talisay City College leaderless anew

CEBU, Philippines - If he had it his way, Talisay City Mayor Johnny De los Reyes would rather have a permanent president for Talisay City College.

De los Reyes, who sits as the chairman of the Board of Trustees, will convene his 10 members next week to tackle on the selection of a permanent college president instead of appointing a temporary one.

This after Dr. Ester Velasquez called up BOT secretary Woodrow Denuyo informing him that she will not accept her appointment as she is already occupied as school director of the Cebu Cherish School in Cebu City.

Velasquez was appointed after Dr. Joseph Sol Galleon, associate dean of Cebu Normal University, tendered his resignation for health reasons.

"Kung ako ang pabut-on, kinahanglan gyud ta og permanent college president ug dili lang temporary. Wala man gidawat ni Dr. Velasquez ang position human siya gitudlo, unya motudlo na sab ta og balik unya dili na sab dawaton sa atong gitudlo," De los Reyes said.

So far, according to De los Reyes, there are two interested personalities who want the position. However, he refused to divulge the names of the two.

"I will request the BOT to select a permanent college president and then let us approve," he added.

Under the city ordinance for the establishment of the TCC, the college president is required to work full time.

To recall, the Talisay City College was wrapped with controversy for several months after De los Reyes had ordered former acting president Ritchel Bacaltos to relinquish his post in favor of his appointee Dr. Paulus Marie Canete, who heads the controversial Mandaue City College.

But Bacaltos refused to step down when the mayor replaced him saying it was only the BOT that can get him out of his post.

By then, a tug-of-war spawned other problems for the school, until the Commission on Higher Education had to intervene appointing Freddie Bernal, the regional director of CHED.

Bernal took over the school management for a while but had to step down on orders of his superiors.  (FREEMAN)