Cuartero Town Mayor Claims COC Case Politically Motivated

By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz — “The case for the cancellation of the Certificate of Candidacy against me and my colleagues is purely politically motivated,” said Cuartero Mayor Tito Mayo in response to a petition filed before the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

The petition, lodged by Fernando Garcia, seeks to cancel the certificates of candidacy (COC) of Mayo, Vice Mayor Stephen Fantilaga, and other incumbent officials in Cuartero, citing alleged misrepresentation and violations of laws governing the construction of establishments in prohibited areas.

Mayo accused political rivals of using Garcia to damage his re-election bid and those of his colleagues in the upcoming midterm elections.

The mayor said he had designated his lawyer, Ferdinand Samillano, to respond to the accusations.

Garcia, who claims to be a taxpayer, filed the case over alleged illegal construction and operation of the Gallera de Cuartero cockfighting gallery and a funeral home in the town.

The petition also alleged that Mayo and other officials failed to disclose pending cases with the Office of the Ombudsman when they filed their COCs.

Garcia questioned the legality of the Gallera de Cuartero, which has been operational since 2015 in Barangay Nagba, alleging that Mayo is one of its board members.

“Public officials and employees are prohibited from owning a cockfighting gallery,” Garcia said.

However, Mayo denied any connection to the establishment when reached by the Daily Guardian.

Garcia also raised concerns about the construction of a funeral home in the town center, arguing that it violates locational standards set by the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB).

According to HLURB guidelines, funeral homes must be at least 15 meters away from public markets, 25 meters from restaurants and food establishments, 200 meters from schools, and located in areas not prone to flooding.

Garcia specifically cited the Gallano Funeral Home, which he claimed was in a prohibited area. Following his complaint, the funeral home reportedly ceased operations and relocated.

Garcia himself has faced controversy in the past. As a former job order employee at the Capiz Provincial Capitol, he was accused of falsifying client signatures for financial assistance requests. The City Prosecutor’s Office dismissed the charges for lack of merit.

In retaliation, Garcia filed separate complaints against some provincial board members and officials, alleging they benefited from irregularities. These cases remain pending before the Office of the Ombudsman.