VILLANUEVA, Misamis Oriental – The family of the late Barangay Captain Rhina Quirino of Poblacion 3 claims that stress from a political slogan led to her death.

Joel Quirino, son of the late barangay official who died of cardiac arrest on March 23, alleged that his mother suffered immense stress due to the “No vote, ibot” slogan associated with former House Representative and current provincial candidate Juliette Uy.

“This is an election. When ‘No vote, ibot’ came out, I know it truly affected her,” Quirino said tearfully.

According to Quirino, the slogan was allegedly directed at the residents of Poblacion 3, a 13-hectare area with over 400 households. The land is reportedly owned by Uy.

“Two days before she passed away, I saw her Facebook messages, and they weren’t good. We knew she wasn’t feeling well,” Quirino added.

The Quirino family has now challenged Uy’s camp to provide proof of land ownership, claiming the dispute contributed to the captain’s death.

STRESSED? Barangay Councilor Joel Quirino of Poblacion 3, Villanueva, Misamis Oriental, claims that stress contributed to the death of his mother, Barangay Chief Rhina Quirino, despite a medical certificate stating cardiac arrest as the cause. According to Quirino, the stress was triggered by the “No vote, ibot” slogan, which he alleges was promoted by former House Representative Juliette Uy. Photo by Shiela Mae Butlig

Joane Tabique, Uy’s spokesperson, dismissed the accusations, calling them politically motivated.

“First of all, our condolences to the Quirino family. Despite dirty politics, no one should ever wish for someone’s death,” Tabique said.

She insisted Quirino’s passing was due to natural causes.

“No one holds our fate but God. No matter how healthy we are, if it is our time, it will happen,” Tabique added.

She emphasized that their camp would not engage in political attacks.

“We have nothing else to say but our deepest sympathy. This is a painful experience, and we hope her death won’t be used for politics,” she said.

Lawyer Maiko Jay Llido, the Quirino family’s lawyer, stated they would wait until after Quirino’s burial before determining possible legal actions.

Tabique reiterated that Uy owns the land but denied any plans to displace residents.

“They were never asked to leave. If that were true, it would have happened long ago,” she said.

She further dismissed the accusations.

“Their press conference is pure politics. Kapitan had an illness — why blame the Uys? Does the death certificate say Poblacion 3’s land ownership caused her death?” Tabique rhetorically asked.