Ombudsman suspends Cavite town mayor amid illegal gambling probe

MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Ombudsman imposed a preventive suspension against Rosario, Cavite Mayor Jose Voltaire Ricafrente over his alleged involvement in gambling activities at a casino in Bacolod City. 

According to the Office of Ombudsman on Thursday, the case stemmed from a complaint filed by its Field Investigation Office I after conducting an investigation into Ricafrente’s alleged gambling activities. 

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“This Office finds sufficient grounds for the issuance of an Order for Preventive Suspension against respondent Municipal Mayor JOSE VOLTAIRE V. RICAFRENTE, Municipality of Rosario, Province of Cavite, considering that there is strong evidence showing his guilt; the charges against him for Grave Misconduct and Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of the Service may warrant his removal from the service,” part of the six-page order read. 

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Citing the investigation conducted, the Office of the Ombudsman said that Ricafrente entered a casino at a hotel on March 14, 2026 where he was accompanied by four other unnamed individuals. 

It added that Ricafrente allegedly played at a gaming table with P30,000 worth of casino chips and won P10,000 before leaving the establishment.

The Ombudsman then noted Memorandum Circular No. 06, series of 2016 issued by the Office of the President which prohibits any government officials and employees from engaging with gambling casinos. 

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It also said that the preventive suspension does not constitute the finding of administrative liability. It added that the mayor’s continued stay in the office could influence the investigation “because of his access to government records and potential influence over witnesses.”

“Ultimately, it should be borne in mind that the issuance of a preventive suspension order does not amount to a prejudgment of the merits of the case. It is merely a preventive measure, a preliminary step in an administrative investigation and therefore not a penalty in itself,” the order further read. 

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The Ombudsman noted that the preventive suspension without pay is ordered pending the resolution of the administrative charges for Grave Misconduct and Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of the Service. It also said that suspension is immediately executory and will be effective until the administrative case is resolved. /jpv