Roberto Castaño Cajes (born October 8, 1950) is a Filipino lawyer and politician. He is the incumbent mayor of

Trinidad, Bohol Trinidad, officially the Municipality of Trinidad (; ), is a municipality in the province of Bohol, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 35,119 people. Trinidad is from Tagbilaran. Etymology The municipality was ...

, having won re-election in the May 2025 local elections. Cajes previously served as mayor from 2010 to 2013, and from 2022 to 2025. He also represented the Second District of Bohol in the

House of Representatives of the Philippines The House of Representatives (; '','' thus commonly referred to as ''Kamara'') is the lower house of Congress of the Philippines, Congress, the bicameral legislature of the Philippines, with the Senate of the Philippines as the upper house. The ...

for three consecutive terms (2001–2010). Before his congressional tenure, he was a member of the

Bohol Provincial Board The Bohol Provincial Board is the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (provincial legislature) of the Philippine province of Bohol. The members are elected via plurality-at-large voting: the province is divided into three districts, the first two sending t ...

(1992–2001).

Early life and education

Roberto Cajes was born on October 8, 1950, in

Tagbilaran City Tagbilaran, officially the City of Tagbilaran (; ), is a component city and capital of the province of Bohol, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 104,976 people making it the most populous in the province. Tagbila ...

, Bohol. While his official birthplace is Tagbilaran City, he is strongly associated with

, where he completed his elementary education and which has been his long-time political base. He attended Trinidad Central Elementary School (1957–1963) and the Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary for his secondary education (1964–1968). Cajes earned a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy (Magna Cum Laude, 1972) and studied theology at the

University of Santo Tomas The University of Santo Tomas (UST; ), officially the Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas, The Catholic University of the Philippines or colloquially as ''Ustê'' (), is a Private university, private Catholic school, Catholic researc ...

(1968–1972). He continued his theological studies at

San Carlos Seminary The Royal and Conciliar San Carlos Seminary is the archdiocesan seminary of the Archdiocese of Manila. It was established in the year 1702, by decree of King Philip V of Spain. At present, the institution houses seminarians belonging to various ...

(1973–1975). He later obtained a Master of Arts in Philosophy (1978) and a Doctor of Philosophy (Magna Cum Laude, 1984) from the

University of Bohol The University of Bohol, also referred to by its acronym U.B., is a Private school, private nonsectarian co-educational basic and higher education institution institution of higher learning in Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines. It is the fir ...

. Cajes also holds a Bachelor of Laws degree (Magna Cum Laude, 1984) from Holy Name University (formerly Divine Word College of Tagbilaran).

Ecclesiastical and academic career

Before entering politics, Cajes served as a

Roman Catholic priest The priesthood is the office of the ministers of religion, who have been commissioned ("ordained") with the holy orders of the Catholic Church. Technically, bishops are a priestly order as well; however, in common English usage ''priest'' re ...

. His pastoral assignments included the Immaculate Conception Parish in

Baclayon Baclayon, officially the Municipality of Baclayon (; ), is a municipality in the province of Bohol, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 22,461 people. It is the home town of actor Cesar Montano, and physicist Cae ...

, St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Jagna, and St. Anthony de Padua Parish in Sikatuna. He also served as Chaplain for the

Knights of Columbus The Knights of Columbus (K of C) is a global Catholic Church, Catholic Fraternal and service organizations, fraternal service order founded by Michael J. McGivney, Blessed Michael J. McGivney. Membership is limited to practicing Catholic men. ...

Parish in

. Concurrently, Cajes was a professor at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in Tagbilaran City and at the Graduate School of the

Legal career

Cajes is a lawyer by profession and managed the Roberto Cajes Law Office in

Talibon Talibon, officially the Municipality of Talibon (; ), is a municipality of the Philippines, municipality in the Philippine Province, province of Bohol, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 71,272 people, making it ...

Political career

Bohol Provincial Board member (1992–2001)

Cajes began his political career as a member of the

, serving two non-consecutive terms: 1992–1995 and 1998–2001.

Member of the House of Representatives (2001–2010)

Cajes represented the Second District of Bohol for three consecutive terms (12th, 13th, and 14th Congresses). He was primarily affiliated with

Lakas–CMD Lakas–Christian Muslim Democrats, abbreviated as Lakas–CMD and also known simply as Lakas, (and known as Lakas–Kampi until 2011) is a political party in the Philippines. Lakas–CMD is considered to be on the Centre-right politics, centre ...

during his congressional tenure. Key roles during his time in Congress included: * 12th Congress (2001–2004): ** Senior Vice Chairman, Committee on Transportation and Telecommunications. ** Led a notable ethics investigation in Germany. ** First Boholano congressman to be a member of the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal (HRET). * 13th Congress (2004–2007): ** Chairman, Committee on Ethics and Privileges. ** Vice Chairman, Committee on Revision of Laws. ** Member of committees including: Agrarian Reform, Basic Education and Culture, Energy, Games and Amusements, Higher and Technical Education, Labor and Employment, and Public Works and Highways. * 14th Congress (2007–2010): ** Represented the 2nd District of Bohol. (Detailed committee assignments for this term require further sourcing but he continued his legislative work.) Across his terms, he authored and filed numerous House Bills.

Mayor of Trinidad, Bohol

Cajes has served multiple terms as Mayor of

Trinidad Trinidad is the larger, more populous island of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, the country. The island lies off the northeastern coast of Venezuela and sits on the continental shelf of South America. It is the southernmost island in ...

. * His first term was from June 30, 2010, to June 30, 2013. * He was elected again for the term beginning June 30, 2022, and ending June 30, 2025. * In the May 2025 local elections, Cajes won re-election under the

Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino (LDP; ) is a political party in the Philippines founded by Ramon Mitra Jr. and Peping Cojuangco. LDP was more commonly referred to as Laban during its early years. History Early years and formation In Septembe ...

(LDP) party. He secured 12,345 votes, representing 50.26% of the total votes, for a new term starting June 30, 2025. * Prior to the 2025 election, he formed a political alliance named "Alayon Trinidad" with former political opponent Juanilo "Johnny" Gonzales Orioque, endorsing Governor Aris Aumentado and Congresswoman Vanvan Aumentado. Under his leadership (primarily referring to the 2022-2025 term for recent awards), the Municipality of Trinidad received several recognitions, including the 2024 Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) from the

Department of the Interior and Local Government The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG; ) is the executive department of the Philippine government responsible for promoting peace and order, ensuring public safety and strengthening local government capability aimed towards ...

(DILG).

Achievements and recognition

* As Congressman (primarily during the 12th Congress based on CV): ** "30 Most Outstanding Neophyte Congressmen of 12th Congress" (conferred by Congress Magazine, Makati Graduate School, Reserve Soldiers Union) ** "Legislator par Excellence (2002)" (by International Civic Advancement for Recovery & Excellence, Inc.) ** "Outstanding Congressman of the Year (2002)" (by Development of the Filipino Youth Inc.) ** "Congressman of the Year, Public Servant of the Philippines for 2002" (by Philippine Media Enforcers, Inc.) * As Mayor: ** Municipality of Trinidad received the 2024 Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG). ** Recognition for Ideal Functionality Level for the Local Council for the Protection of Children (LCPC). ** Top 2 Best in Procurement in Region 7 by DSWD KALAHI. * Academic Honors: ** Magna Cum Laude, AB Philosophy,

(1972) ** Magna Cum Laude, Doctor of Philosophy,

(1984) ** Magna Cum Laude, Bachelor of Laws, Holy Name University (1984)

Personal life

Roberto Cajes is married to Judith del Rosario-Cajes. They have five children: Michael, Frances Bobbith, Jane Censoria Cajes-Yap (former

Sangguniang Kabataan A Sangguniang Kabataan (abbreviated as SK; ) is a community council that represents the youth in a barangay in the Philippines. Established to provide young people with a platform for civic engagement and participation in Local government in ...

National President and politician), Joan Robie Cajes-Imboy (current

Sangguniang Bayan The Sangguniang Bayan () is the local legislative branch of the municipal governments in the Philippines. It is responsible for passing ordinances and resolutions for the administration of a municipality. Its powers are defined by the Local Go ...

Member of Trinidad and his running mate for Vice Mayor in the 2025 elections), and Robie Rose.

References

External links

Profile at the Municipality of Trinidad Official Website

Trinidad, Bohol - 2025 Election Results - Rappler

Certificate of Candidacy for Mayor - Roberto C. Cajes (2025 Elections) - COMELEC

Roberto C. Cajes - 14th Congress Member Information (Archived)

Roberto C. Cajes - 13th Congress Profile (Archived)

Authored Bills - Roberto C. Cajes (12th-14th Congress) - Senate of the Philippines Legislative Reference Bureau
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cajes, Roberto Living people 1950 births 21st-century Filipino lawyers University of Santo Tomas alumni Lakas–CMD politicians Liberal Party (Philippines) politicians National Unity Party (Philippines) politicians Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino politicians People from Tagbilaran 20th-century Filipino lawyers Lakas–CMD (1991) politicians Members of the House of Representatives of the Philippines from Bohol Members of the Bohol Provincial Board Mayors of places in Bohol