Suspended Mayor Wins Reelection Amid Legal Concerns in Capiz
A suspended mayor from the town of President Roxas in Capiz, has been reelected despite ongoing legal concerns.
Mayor Receliste Escolin was once again proclaimed as the town’s mayor following the recent elections. However, his candidacy has been surrounded by controversy due to a petition filed after he submitted his Certificate of Candidacy (COC) in October 2024.
The petition questioned his eligibility, claiming that he had already served the maximum number of terms allowed for a local elected official. This raised concerns about whether he should have been allowed to run again.
In addition to the petition, Escolin was also suspended for three months by the Office of the Ombudsman. The suspension, which began in February 2025, added further scrutiny to his leadership.
Despite these issues, Escolin managed to secure another term through the votes of his constituents. According to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Capiz, he will continue to serve as mayor while waiting for the final decision from Comelec’s Central Office regarding the petition against his candidacy.
Many residents are closely watching the situation. While some support Escolin and believe in his leadership, others are waiting for clarity on whether the petition will lead to changes in his status.
As of this writing, Mayor Escolin remains in office, and the town continues its usual operations. The case has drawn attention to the importance of election rules and how they apply to officials with long service records or unresolved legal matters.
The final decision from Comelec will determine the next steps for both Mayor Escolin and the people of President Roxas.
The social media users expressed their reactions to the post:
