By Felipe V Celino
ROXAS CITY, Capiz – The local government of Cuartero, Capiz has suspended activities related to the celebration of its 85th anniversary on August 23, 2023 following the death of Mayor Joemarie Openiano.
Capiz Gov. Fredenil “Oto” Castro administered the oath Tito L. Mayo as the new mayor of Cuartero at the Capiz provincial capitol building Wednesday morning, August 16.
Mayo assumed as mayor after Openiano died Monday afternoon, August 14, in a hospital here.
Reports said that Openiano succumbed to stage 4 colon cancer at Health Centrum Hospital in Barangay Banica here.
The Philippine flag is flying half-mast in all government institutions in Cuartero to mourn the death of Openiano.
At the municipal hall of Cuartero, government employees are encouraged to wear white every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and black every Tuesday and Thursday until the interment of Openiano.
Castro also swore in number one Sanggunian Bayan member Stephen H. Fantilaga as the new vice mayor.
Mayo, 61, has been the mayor of Cuartero for three consecutive terms. He ran and won as vice mayor in last year’s elections.
