Antique mayor’s family cars worth PHP12.2M burned in fire

By Jennifer P. Rendon

ROXAS CITY, Capiz — Vehicles worth millions were destroyed in an early morning fire at Hacienda Feliza, a property owned by the Tajanlangit family in Barangay Paciencia, Tobias Fornier, Antique, on September 22.

Senior Fire Officer 4 Harry Artiaga, chief of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Tobias Fornier, said they received the fire call at around 1:20 a.m. and responded immediately, as the property is just three kilometers from the town proper.

The fire was put out by 2:30 a.m.

Three of the four vehicles parked in the multi-purpose area of the Tajanlangit property were completely destroyed, including a Ford Mustang valued at PHP3 million, a GMC Hummer pickup worth PHP8 million, and a Suzuki Ertiga estimated at PHP1.2 million.

The Ford Mustang is allegedly owned by suspended Tobias Fornier Mayor Ernesto Tajanlangit, while the Suzuki Ertiga is registered under his brother, Sangguniang Panlalawigan member and Barangay Paciencia Captain Julius Cezar Tajanlangit. The Hummer is registered to their father, Atty. Cezar Tajanlangit.

One vehicle was spared from the fire. Arson investigators are still probing the incident to determine if it was accidental or intentional, with Artiaga calling it a “sensitive case” due to the political climate in the town.

The BFP Antique office is expected to coordinate with the BFP regional office for a deeper investigation.

 

POLITICAL CONTROVERSY

The fire comes just days after the Office of the Ombudsman suspended Mayor Tajanlangit for six months without pay on September 19, 2024, following complaints of abuse of authority, grave misconduct, and violation of Republic Act 6713 (Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees) filed by Vice Mayor Jose Maria Fornier.

Vice Mayor Fornier has since assumed the role of acting mayor, while Sangguniang Bayan member Rene Sandig Magdaog was designated as acting vice mayor.

Tensions between Tajanlangit and Fornier gained public attention after a physical altercation on April 29, 2024, over the distribution of food packs intended for individuals affected by the El Niño phenomenon.