Capiz Town Mayor Wins Fourth Straight Term Despite Term Limit
ILOILO CITY – Mayor Receliste “Tanoy” Escolin secured a fourth consecutive term as mayor in President Roxas town, Capiz province, sparking debate over the local term limit rules. The exact 4-word keyphrase “Capiz town mayor wins” is central to this story.
Escolin was officially proclaimed winner by the Commission on Elections after he defeated Vice Mayor Braulio Godfrey “Botoy” Asis and candidate Bart Locsin. However, his eligibility to run for a fourth straight term is currently under scrutiny due to existing term limits for local officials.
Term Limit Controversy Surrounding Mayor Escolin
Under the Local Government Code, mayors are restricted to serving three consecutive terms, amounting to nine years in office. They are prohibited from running for a fourth consecutive term. Despite this, Escolin insists he remains qualified to serve because he has not yet completed nine full years of service as of June 30, 2025.
He explained that his term was interrupted when the Office of the Ombudsman suspended him for three months, from February to May 2024, over allegations of simple misconduct. Due to this suspension, Escolin argues that his nine-year term limit should not yet apply.
Adding to his defense, Escolin cited a Supreme Court ruling and an opinion from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) supporting his claim that he is eligible for another term.
Pending Legal Challenges and Election Commission Response
Despite the proclamation, Escolin faces a disqualification case pending before the Commission on Elections (Comelec). Election officials confirmed that a petition is currently challenging the legitimacy of his candidacy for a fourth term.
“Until now, there is a pending case against the mayor,” said a regional election official. “There’s a petition challenging the legitimacy of his candidacy.”
The outcome of this case will likely set a precedent on how term limits are interpreted, especially in cases where suspensions or interruptions occur during an official’s tenure.
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