By Edalyn B. Acta
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is urged to act on the disqualification of President Roxas Mayor Receliste “Tanoy” Escolin, who was recently proclaimed as winner for an unprecedented 4th consecutive term.
“Tani ma aksyonan sang Comelec ang akon reklamo (I hope Comelec will take action on my complaint),” said Arnulfo Degala, the former barangay captain of Marita.
“Daw 1st time sa Pilipinas nga may subong sini (It would be the first time in the Philippines that this would happen),” Degala told The Capiz Times in an interview.
Degala was referring to the prohibition stated by the Local Government Code on term limits—that elected local officials can only serve for three consecutive terms or nine years in total.
It was Degala who filed the complaint before the Comelec last October 2024 to cancel the then candidacy of Escolin, who is supposedly not eligible to run as his term would end by June 30, 2025.
But Escolin even took his oath for his 4th term as he reiterated his claim that his 3-month suspension last year imposed by the Ombudsman was the reason that he would not be able to complete his 9-year term by next month.
Escolin also noted that during the time of his proclamation, there was no order from the Comelec to cancel his proclamation as the winner.
Escolin defeated incumbent Vice Mayor Braulio Godfrey “Botoy” Asis and Bart Locsin.
Meanwhile, Degala denied he filed the complaint against Escolin on behalf of Locsin’s camp.
