Fiscal throws out plaint against Talisay former mayor

The Talisay City Prosecutor’s Office dismissed the complaint filed last month against former Talisay City Mayor Socrates Fernandez and the Talisay City College’s board of trustees for their appointment of Richel Bacaltos as acting college president.

The case filed by Dr. Paulus Cañete, whose appointment as college president by Mayor Johnny V. delos Reyes was rejected by the board, questioned the validity of Bacaltos’ appointment.

Cañete said Bacaltos was not qualified and that his appointment was not valid because it was made without a search committee and the committee’s recommendation. He also pointed out that Bacaltos does not meet the qualifications stated in the guidelines from Commission on Higher Education.

In a two-page resolution, Prosecutor Benjo Luther Macion said Bacaltos was only appointed officer-in charge and acting president, and that his appointment was based on a resolution passed by the board of trustees and by virtue of the ordinance establishing the college.

There is no dispute that the board authorized the appointment of Bacaltos as OIC or acting president, who assumed office pending the appointment of a new president, said the prosecutor.

Bacaltos was appointed after the board of trustees removed Dr. Tomas Ramos as president.
Bacaltos said he was happy with the recent development.

Bacaltos and Cañete’s tug-of-war over the college presidency resulted in the conduct of two separate graduation ceremonies this summer. CHED ruled to recognize the board of trustee’s appointment of Bacaltos over the mayor’s appointment of Cañete.