On calamity aid case: CH to challenge DILG at CA

CEBU, Philippines - Seven days from now, City Hall’s lawyers are set to contest before the Court of Appeals the jurisdiction of the Department of Interior and Local Government in trying the case on the controversial release of the P84 million calamity fund in 2013.

Lawyer Jerone Castillo, head of the City Legal Office, revealed to reporters yesterday that his office received an invitation from the appellate court in Manila following the filing of proceedings.

“Petitioners’ extreme urgent motion filed by petitioners on January 28, 2016 is hereby scheduled for hearing by oral arguments on February 16, 2016 at 9 a.m. (at Paras Hall, Main Building),” read a portion  of the CA-issued notice shown to the press.

Castillo considered the hearing as a “positive development and great opportunity” for the city lawyers to challenge DILG’s jurisdiction to handle the case.

It was lawyer Reymelio Delute who sued Mayor Michael Rama, Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella and other 12 city councilors for granting the distribution of P20,000 calamity aid each to 4,200 employees and elected officials, including themselves, after super typhoon Yolanda.

Even as DILG has already submitted its report to the Office of the President after series of investigation, Castillo said the OP’s decision will be regarded as null and void in case CA rules in the city’s favor.

“This is a positive sign, meaning they would like to take a serious look on the case again… If the Court of Appeals sustains us, then all the proceedings on this Delute case from the OP to the DILG will be rendered useless, null and void,” he said.

He added that their opponent in this case will now be the OP represented by the solicitor general.

“We will prepare for (this), come February 16. We will really fully prepare for this… so it will be a good debate, so to speak,” said Castillo.

“Our prayer is that hopefully our arguments that we presented in our pleadings and which we have consistently voiced out will be heard and will be appreciated by the justices,” he added.

Based on their initial discussions, the counsel on record to the February 16 hearing will be represented by Castillo and Labella.

Other involved city lawyers will also be present, along with Rama, said Castillo.   (FREEMAN)