The Regional Trial Court has issued subpoenas to former Governor Joseph Cua and DILG Regional
Director Atty. Arnaldo Escober, Jr. to testify in the scheduled hearing of the quo warranto petition this
coming Monday, Oct. 19, 2026.
Cua will have to physically appear before the sala of RTC Branch 42 Presiding Judge Maria Theresa A;
Cerillo while DILG’s Escober has been allowed to appear via video conference.
The director was ordered to submit to the Court on Oct. 16 the following documents: the posting of the
notice of vacancy in the SP membership on the DILG website and in three (3) conspicuous places in the
province of Catanduanes; the invitation letter addressed to Lakas-CMD requiring it to nominate a
replacement; the list of nominees submitted by Lakas-CMD and transmitted to the regional office; the
records relating to the creation of the screening committee as required under Memorandum Circular No.
2019-21;
The invitations extended to the President or Vice President of the League of Sangguniang Panlalawigan
in the province or to their appropriate representative; the minutes reflecting the results of the screening
committee’s proceedings; the shortlist of nominees prepared by the screening committee; the letter
transmitting the shortlist to the National Office; the designations of the substitute members of the SP
dated June 15, 2026; the transmittal of the designations to the Bureau of Local Government Finance;
and, the records of the taking of the oath of office.