By Nycel Jane Dela
The Office of the Provincial Prosecutor of Capiz junked the complaint of usurpation of authority against President Roxas Mayor Receliste “Tanoy” L. Escolin, who is serving his unprecedented 4th consecutive term.
The prosecutor’s office found no prima facie evidence in the complaint filed by former vice mayor Alfonso L. Golero, who is also barangay captain of Cabugcabug.
Golero accused Escolin of usurpation of authority under Article 177 of the Revised Penal Code.
The former vice mayor claims that it is illegal for Escolin to continue performing the functions of a municipal mayor despite the cancellation of Escolin’s Certificate of Candidacy (COC) by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) during the May 2025 elections.
In its nine-page resolution dated July 31, 2026, the prosecutor’s office said the issue of Escolin’s authority to remain in office could not yet be conclusively determined because related proceedings remain pending before the COMELEC and the Supreme Court, which is the final arbiter.
The resolution noted that Escolin had filed a petition for certiorari before the Supreme Court, docketed as G.R. No. E-04195, involving the COMELEC proceedings. It also cited other pending cases involving claims to legitimate succession and a separate quo warranto case.
The prosecutor invoked the doctrine of primary jurisdiction, saying the COMELEC and, ultimately, the Supreme Court must first resolve the legal issues arising from the cancellation of Escolin’s COC.
The prosecutor further cited forum shopping after Golero sought action from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-Capiz regarding the same complaint. The DILG-Capiz would later dismiss the complaint. (Photo by Edalyn B. Acta)
