Pontevedra Mayor Henry Tumlos to be laid to rest Wednesday

ROXAS CITY, Capiz — The late Pontevedra Mayor Henry D. Tumlos will be laid to rest at noon Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026, at Banate Cemetery in Barangay Banate, Pontevedra, following a funeral Mass at St. Isidore the Worker Parish.

Tumlos’ remains were transferred to the Pontevedra Municipal Hall on Tuesday afternoon, Nov. 3, for a Mass and necrological service before an overnight vigil.

The late mayor’s remains had been brought to his residence in Barangay Lantangan, Pontevedra, on Tuesday, Oct. 27, following his death.

Tumlos died at age 77 on Friday, Oct. 23, at Capiz Doctors’ Hospital in Roxas City.

His death was reportedly attributed to complications from cancer.

He had also reportedly been battling diabetes and undergoing dialysis treatment.

The transfer of his remains from De Jesus Funeral Homes in Roxas City to the family residence in Barangay Lantangan drew a large turnout of mourners.

Students, teachers and residents lined the streets to pay tribute to the late mayor and recognize his contributions to the municipality.

Municipal officials and employees also gathered around his casket as constituents offered their final respects.

Tumlos’ death has prompted a leadership transition in Pontevedra, with newly installed Mayor Ferne Oquendo appealing for public support and cooperation as he assumes the responsibilities of the municipal chief executive.

Oquendo pledged to continue the programs and projects initiated by his predecessor to ensure the uninterrupted delivery of government services.

He acknowledged that Tumlos’ sudden death had made the transition difficult, particularly as he adjusted to the demands of the mayor’s office.

Oquendo said his eight years in public service had largely focused on legislative functions during his tenure as vice mayor.

He said taking over the municipality’s executive functions required adjustments because of the broader administrative responsibilities involved.

Despite the challenges, Oquendo expressed confidence in his familiarity with the municipality’s development priorities and financial planning.

He said he had participated in preparing the municipality’s Annual Investment Plan (AIP), which identifies priority programs, projects and activities for local government funding.

The plan serves as a basis for determining which development initiatives will receive budgetary support during a given fiscal year.

Two municipal council seats remain vacant

Oquendo also disclosed that two seats in the Sangguniang Bayan remain vacant following the recent death of Councilor Nene Biclar and the succession of senior Councilor Rolindo “Nene” Bulan to the vice mayoralty.

He said Biclar’s son was being considered to fill the seat left vacant by his mother’s death.

Joenifer “Jhong” Tumlos, son of the late mayor and former municipal administrator under his father’s administration, was also identified as a prospective replacement for the council seat vacated by Bulan.

The appointments, however, must comply with Section 45 of Republic Act No. 7160, or the Local Government Code of 1991.

Under the law, permanent vacancies in the Sangguniang Bayan that are not covered by automatic succession are filled through appointments made by the provincial governor.

The law also prescribes nomination and political party requirements, depending on the circumstances surrounding each vacancy.

Family relationships alone do not automatically entitle prospective replacements to vacant elective positions.

Meanwhile, Oquendo said his brother, Emmanuel Cris Oquendo, would serve as the new municipal administrator.

Emmanuel Cris previously served as a Sangguniang Bayan member and recently resigned from the board of directors of the Capiz Electric Cooperative (CAPELCO).

Oquendo assumes mayoralty after Tumlos’ death

Oquendo formally assumed office as Pontevedra mayor on Monday, Oct. 26, following Tumlos’ death three days earlier.

He took his oath before Liga ng mga Barangay President and Barangay Poblacion Ilaya Chairperson Delly B. Hansen.

Bulan, the highest-ranking Sangguniang Bayan member, also took his oath as vice mayor, filling the vacancy created by Oquendo’s succession to the mayoralty.

Under Section 44 of the Local Government Code, the vice mayor automatically succeeds the mayor when a permanent vacancy occurs.

The law also provides that the highest-ranking municipal council member assumes the vice mayoralty when the position becomes permanently vacant.

Officials who succeed to these positions serve the unexpired terms of their predecessors.

Before becoming mayor, Oquendo served as barangay chairperson of Hipona, Pontevedra; president of the Liga ng mga Barangay; a member of CAPELCO’s board of directors; and vice mayor of Pontevedra.

Oquendo said he would serve Pontevedra’s residents with integrity, fear of God and a commitment to public service.

As the municipality prepares to bury its late mayor, the new administration faces the task of maintaining government operations while addressing vacancies in the municipal council.

The leadership transition also comes as Pontevedra residents pay their final respects to Tumlos, whose death has left the municipality mourning the loss of its elected chief executive.