MANILA — The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the preventive suspension without pay of Rosario, Cavite Mayor Jose Voltaire V. Ricafrente for up to six months over alleged gambling activities at a casino in Bacolod City.

In a six-page order, the Ombudsman directed Ricafrente’s immediate suspension while administrative charges of Grave Misconduct and Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of the Service against him remain pending.

The case stemmed from a complaint filed by the Ombudsman’s Field Investigation Office (FIO) I following an investigation into the mayor’s alleged casino gambling.

Investigators found that Ricafrente entered a casino inside a hotel on March 14, 2026, accompanied by four individuals. He allegedly played at a gaming table using ₱30,000 worth of casino chips and won ₱10,000 before leaving the establishment with his companions.

The Ombudsman said the evidence warranted the preventive suspension, noting that the administrative charges could result in the mayor’s removal from public service.

“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,” the Order stated.

The agency cited Memorandum Circular No. 06, series of 2016, issued by the Office of the President, which prohibits government officials and employees from entering, staying, or playing in gambling casinos.

It also warned that Ricafrente’s continued presence in office could interfere with the investigation because of his access to government records and potential influence over witnesses.

However, the Ombudsman clarified that the preventive suspension does not constitute a penalty or a determination of the mayor’s administrative liability.

“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 stated.

The suspension is immediately executory and will remain in effect until the administrative case is resolved, but for no longer than six months, subject to conditions prescribed by law.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), through Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” C. Remulla, was furnished a copy of the order for implementation and directed to submit proof of compliance to the Ombudsman.