By Felipe V. Celino
ROXAS CITY, Capiz – Mayor Receliste “Tanoy” Escolin of President Roxas, Capiz, faces a case for the cancellation of his Certificate of Candidacy (COC) before the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) in Intramuros, Manila.
The complaint was filed by Barangay Captains Richard Baltar of Barangay Aranguel and former Barangay Captain Arnulfo Degala of Barangay Marita, both in President Roxas, Capiz.
The two complainants based their case on a 90-day suspension imposed by the Office of the Ombudsman, claiming there were no interruptions to Escolin’s third and final term as mayor of President Roxas.
Escolin, in a media interview on Wednesday, said he is not concerned about the complaint, asserting that it is not yet final and executory. He also mentioned he has not received a copy of the complaint.
“Anyway, I expected someone would challenge my qualifications and re-election bid, and I am prepared for that,” he said.
Escolin dismissed the complaint as politically motivated and driven by personal grudges, referring to the complainants as “anay” (ant) and “bitik” (dog lice), implying they are nuisances in the town.
Escolin explained that he filed his COC because his current term, ending in June 2025, was interrupted by a 90-day suspension from February to May this year, imposed by the Ombudsman for simple misconduct.
He cited an opinion from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and a previous Supreme Court decision as grounds for claiming that his public service was “interrupted” by the Ombudsman’s penalty.
According to Escolin, this “interruption” justifies his decision to seek re-election to complete what he described as unfinished public service.
Escolin also claimed to have received a death threat after filing his COC for re-election.
Under the Local Government Code, local chief executives are limited to three consecutive terms, or nine years, after which they are ineligible for re-election.
However, veteran lawyer James Bereber argued that Escolin’s suspension does not qualify as an interruption of public service or a “discontinuity of term.”
Bereber referenced a Supreme Court ruling, explaining that temporary incapacity or disqualification, even if involuntary—such as illness, force majeure, or suspension (whether as a penalty or preventive measure)—does not interrupt an official’s term of office.
