PRESIDENT ROXAS, CAPIZ- President Roxas, Capiz Mayor Receliste Escolin strongly stated that the decision of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) First Division to cancel his Certificate of Candidacy (COC) for the recent election is not yet final and effective.
Based on the 22-page decision of the Comelec First Division, the petition filed by Richard Baltar and Arnulfo Degala to cancel Escolin’s COC was granted. The petitioners claimed that Escolin violated the three-term limit rule after completing three consecutive terms as mayor, according to the decision.
The decision also stated that the three-month suspension of Escolin, which came from the Office of the Ombudsman, was not a sufficient reason to consider his term as “interrupted.”
It can be recalled that Escolin was suspended in February 2025 due to a case of simple misconduct. However, he ran in the recent election and was proclaimed as the winning mayor on May 13, 2025.
In an interview with Bombo Radyo Roxas, Escolin said they would file a motion for reconsideration with the Comelec En Banc to defend his position and prove that he is still qualified to serve as mayor.
According to him, his term should not be considered as ongoing because his position was temporarily vacated due to suspension.
Meanwhile, Escolin assured that his administration would continue to serve the residents of President Roxas while awaiting the final decision on his case.
Interviewed by Bombo Francis Biñas
