Return items or face sanctions, former Talisay administrator told

A demand letter was sent to acting Talisay City State College chief Richel Bacaltos ordering him to return all 17 office properties that were supposedly donated to his office by former Talisay City mayor Socrates Fernandez.

Talisay City Legal Officer Alfredo Sipalay said he sent the letter to Bacaltos, a former Talisay City administrator, after it was discovered that the donation of the properties was not covered by a City Council resolution.

The office properties were taken from the Talisay City Administrator’s office occupied by Bacaltos’ replacement, Johnny Yre delos Reyes.

The 31-year-old delos Reyes is the son of Talisay City Mayor Johnny “JVR” delos Reyes.

Sipalay said the items were supposedly covered by a deed of donation signed by Fernandez last June 26 or four days before Mayor delos Reyes took office.

The deed supposedly identified Fernandez as the owner of the items.

“It is highly prejudicial to the Talisay City government. The deed of donation is illegal because the former mayor signed it without approval from the City Council,” Sipalay said.

He said the deed was signed on a Wednesday, a non-session day.

“The donation has no approval and resolution. It is illegal,” Sipalay said.

Still, Sipalay said they won’t file a case against Fernandez and Bacaltos right away.

“We’ll give them the chance to rectify the situation and return the items in good condition. If it won’t be returned, then we will have to protect the city’s interest,” Sipalay said.

Fernandez, now Talisay City councilor, claimed that he thought Bacaltos consulted with the council on the deed of donation.

“I am not the personal owner of those items. I am just a steward,” he said.

Bacaltos claimed that he asked permission from the General Services Office (GSO) and the Commission on Audit (COA) to use these office items.

He said he is willing to return these items if he is asked to do so.

“The school doesn’t have a budget from the national government since the college had been certified last June 4. In the meantime, our salaries and maintenance would still be under the local government,” Bacaltos said.