TCC Board Reaffirms Bacaltos’ Appointment

Amid confusion as to who should lawfully sit as president of the Talisay City College (TCC), the school’s 11-man board of trustees on Thursday voted to retain Richel Bacaltos.

In a closed-door meeting, eight of the 11 board members voted to have Bacaltos as TCC president. This came two months after Talisay City Mayor Johnny V. de los Reyes appointed Dr. Paulus Cañete as acting school president.

Since Cañete’s appointment, Bacaltos, an appointee of the previous administration, has remained in his post, saying only a board decision could evict him.

Meanwhile, Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Regional Director Freddie Bernal said he would still meet Cañete, who had previously asked for his opinion on the issue. Bernal said he will tell Cañete that a city ordinance regulating the TCC must be followed.

Under this ordinance, only the board can appoint a president, he said.