By Felipe V. Celino
ROXAS CITY, Capiz – A taxpayer has filed a petition seeking the cancellation of the certificates of candidacy (COC) of several incumbent officials in Cuartero, Capiz, citing alleged misrepresentation and violations of laws regarding local projects.
Fernando Garcia, the complainant, confirmed he filed the case against Cuartero Mayor Tito Mayo, Vice Mayor Stephen Fantilaga, and other incumbent officials.
The complaint involves the alleged illegal construction and operation of the Gallera de Cuartero cockfighting gallery and a funeral home in the town.
Garcia claimed the officials failed to disclose pending cases against them with the Office of the Ombudsman when they filed their COCs.
He also questioned the legality of the Gallera de Cuartero, operational since 2015 in Barangay Nagba, and alleged that Mayor Mayo is one of its board members.
“Public officials and employees are prohibited from owning a cockfighting gallery,” Garcia said.
However, Mayor Mayo denied any connection to the establishment when asked by the Daily Guardian.
The officials named in the complaint are seeking re-election in the upcoming midterm elections.
Garcia also raised concerns about the construction of a funeral home within the town center, arguing that it violates locational standards set by the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB).
According to Garcia, HLURB guidelines mandate that funeral homes must be at least 15 meters away from public markets, 25 meters from restaurants and food establishments, 200 meters from schools, and in areas not prone to flooding.
He specifically cited the Gallano Funeral Home, which he claimed was in a prohibited area. After Garcia’s complaint, the funeral home reportedly ceased operations and relocated to another site.
Garcia himself has faced controversy in the past. He was previously a job order employee at the Capiz Provincial Capitol and was accused of falsifying client signatures for financial assistance requests.
The City Prosecutor’s Office dismissed the charges for lack of merit.
In response, Garcia filed separate complaints against some provincial board members and officials, alleging they benefited from irregularities.
These cases are pending before the Office of the Ombudsman.
