JVR: I Will Hold My Gun

Talisay City Mayor Johnny V. de los Reyes on Monday morning said he would bow down to the decision of the Board of Trustees of the Talisay City College (TCC) if it’s the only way to allow students to graduate this week.

“I will hold my gun. Magpaubos na lang because with what is happening now, mura’g na-hostage ang mga bata,” said De los Reyes in an interview with the media.

De los Reyes, however, said he hopes Bacaltos and the rest of the board would attend to the March 26 meeting, which he called for to settle the problem.

The mayor said he is even willing to recall the appointment of Paul Cañete, who also serves as acting TCC president, if that would mean giving peace to the students.

There is quandary lately at the TCC after De los Reyes appointed Cañete to replace Bacaltos, who, he said, is not qualified to the post for lack of a doctoral degree.

Bacaltos, however, refused to relinquish his post, saying only the board could relieve him. Last week, eight of the 11-man board voted to concur Bacaltos as acting school president.

De los Reyes, who chairs the board, did not attend the board meeting, saying it was a done deal.

The present board members were installed during the time of former Mayor Socrates Fernandez, which appointed Bacaltos to the post,just weeks before De los Reyes assumed as City Mayor.