Council should not be cowed by Castillano’s case—Guiling

By Maricar M. Calubiran

Acting Mayor Guillermo de la Llana said the Sangguniang Panlungsod members should not be threatened by the quo warranto and mandamus cases filed against them by Ortiz Barangay Capt. Lorenzo Castillano.

Castillano recently filed a quo warranto case against ABC President Marietta Orleans and mandamus case to compel the city council to unseat Orleans.

Castillano argued that Orleans has already exceeded her nine-year term of office and he was already elected as Orleans' replacement. City Treasurer Katherine Tingson was included in the case to  oblige her to strip Orleans of her salaries.

Mayor Jerry Treñas designated Dela Llana as the OIC mayor for a week. Treñas is now in Canada. De la Llana said he has already included Castillano’s case in the agenda for today’s regular session of the Sangguniang Panlungsod. However, Dela Llana stressed that the council could not call for the division of the house to decide on Castillano’s case.

The vice mayor said it is a serious matter that needs the decision of the entire body. There is still a pending case before the Iloilo regional trial court regarding Castillano and Orleans' case. The matter will surely be referred to the committee on legal matters and ordinances and no votation would be made during the session. In today’s regular session, Councilor Jed Mabilog will act as the presiding officer.

Meanwhile, Atty. Bonifacio Alentajan, Orleans' lawyer said Castillano’s move is “contemptuous” since they still have a pending case before Branch 22 of the Iloilo regional trial court of the same nature.

Alentajan said the lower court has already issued an injunction that prevents Castillano’s group from holding an election. He is misleading the court. It’s the same issue involving Orlean’s position as the ex-officio member of the city council.

Alentajan believes that the filing of another case against her client was purported by Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez, Sr.
“They should study their move. He is the acting DOJ secretary and he should know the law. Castillano is a protégée of Gonzalez,” said Alentajan.

Further, Alentajan said Gonzalez should check with the number of their supporters. Before, Gonzalez have some followers of 146-150. At present, out of the 180-barangay captains, Gonzalez have only 73 supporters left.