The lawyer of former Manila Rep. Mark Jimenez expressed satisfaction over reports that the judge who ordered the rescue of Carol Castañeda, Jimenez’s estranged wife, from a rehabilitation facility in Las Piñas, has inhibited herself from the case.
Frank Chavez said they were vindicated when the court issued an order granting the motion they filed asking that Pasig City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 69 Judge Lorifel Acap Pahimna inhibit herself from handling the case concerning the temporary protection order filed by the camp of Castañeda against Jimenez.
Pasig RTC-Branch 163 Judge Laidy Cruz-Suarez will replace Pahimna following a re-raffle of the case last Thursday.
“It is a vindication of the petition that we filed before the court. The rescue order issued by Judge Pahimna was null and void, and that it is without legal and factual basis,” Chavez said.
Citing Pahimna’s alleged bias in favor of Caroline and for “definitely prejudging the case,” Chavez filed a motion for inhibition before the Pasig RTC Branch 69.
The filing of the motion came after NBI agents rescued Castañeda, who was detained at the Silvercrest Rehabilitation Center in Las Piñas City.
Castañeda was taken by unidentified men as she and her sister were on their way to a court hearing in Taguig City last May 16.
For his part, Jimenez denied he ordered the kidnapping of his wife. He said he just turned Castañeda over to specialists who can treat and rehabilitate her, adding that her addiction to “prohibited drugs” caused their family troubles. – Rhodina Villanueva