Ombudsman suspends mayor of Rosario, Cavite, for alleged casino gambling
The Ombudsman suspended Rosario, Cavite Mayor Jose Voltaire Ricafrente for six months without pay over alleged casino gambling in Bacolod City.Summary
The Office of the Ombudsman ordered a six-month preventive suspension without pay for Mayor Jose Voltaire Ricafrente of Rosario, Cavite, following a complaint by its Field Investigation Office. Ricafrente and four companions allegedly entered a casino at a hotel in Bacolod City on March 14, 2026, where he played a gaming table with P30,000 in chips and left with P10,000 in winnings. Under Presidential Decree No. 1869 (PAGCOR Charter) and Memorandum Circular No. 6 s. 2016, government personnel are strictly prohibited from entering, staying, or playing in casinos. The Ombudsman said there is strong evidence of guilt for Grave Misconduct and Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of the Service, which may warrant his removal. The suspension is not a penalty but a measure to ensure an unbiased and unhindered administrative investigation. Ricafrente is a close ally of the Revilla dynasty in Cavite; his municipality is within the Cavite 1st District represented by Jolo Revilla, and he is the son of the late former mayor Jose “Nonong” Ricafrente Jr., who served as provincial administrator when Bong Revilla Jr. was governor. Rappler has sought comment from the municipal government and Ricafrente’s office.
(Source：Rappler)