JVR to throw in towel in city college standoff

Talisay City Mayor Johnny V. delos Reyes yesterday said he may consider withdrawing his appointment of Dr. Paulus Cañete as president of the city college so as not to jeopardize the graduation of its students.

The Talisay City College will hold its commencement ceremonies at 1 p.m. today. The mayor said Richel Bacaltos, the TCC president he wanted sacked, will hand over the diplomas to the graduates.

Delos Reyes on Monday met with Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III to discuss the issues raised against the mayor.

The mayor said he had invited his appointee, Richel Bacaltos, and the members of the TCC Board of Trustees to a meeting today to resolve the dispute.

“I already have a solution. I’ll humble myself. In this situation, I want to save the students for them to graduate properly,” he told reporters. Delos Reyes likened the dispute between him, Bacaltos and the board to a hostage situation.

He said the students were “held hostage” by Bacaltos’ refusal to step down and the board’s support to his continued stay as president.

“It seems like they’re taking the children hostage. This is just a parable, but the firearm is with me. I can pull the trigger at any given time but I will drop my weapon to save the children of Talisay City College,” delos Reyes said.

Last week, Dr. Cañete filed a complaint of unlawful appointment against former Talisay City mayor and now councilor, Socrates Fernandez, and five members of TCC’s board of trustees before the Talisay City Prosecutors Office.

In his complaint, Cañete said Fernandez appointed Bacaltos as acting president of TCC despite his lack of qualification for the post. Delos Reyes said he will let Bacaltos be at least until after the graduation ceremonies at Tabunok Gym today.