MAYO
ILOILO CITY — The Office of the Ombudsman has perpetually disqualified former Cuartero, Capiz Mayor Tito Mayo from public office after he was found guilty of violating Republic Act No. 9485 or the Anti-Red Tape Act 2007.
The Ombudsman’s February 2025 ruling publicly released over the weekend initially stated Mayo was dismissed from his post as mayor but it no longer applies when he lost the mayoral race during the May 2025 elections.
The case stemmed from a February 2024 complaint filed by Fernando Garcia, who alleged that the construction and operation of the Gallera de Cuartero cockfighting arena was illegal.
He claimed that Mayo was a part of the company that operates the cockfighting arena. This was denied by the former mayor.
Garcia asked the Commission on Elections to cancel the candidacy of Mayo for allegedly failing to disclose that he had pending complaints before the Ombudsman.
Mayo is filing a motion for reconsideration.
He was elected vice mayor in 2022 and became mayor in August 2023 after the Mayor Joemarie Openiano died.
Mayo lost to Stephen Openiano, the son of the late mayor, in the last elections.