Photo from Laguna 3rd District Board Member Karla Adajar FB page
THE 12th Sangguniang Bayan of Calauan convened its 30th Regular Session on Monday, January 26, 2026, led by Vice Mayor Allan Jun Sanchez, to deliberate on key barangay projects and pressing local government concerns.
During the session, the council tackled a resolution filed by Mayor Roseller Caratihan, which was declared urgent following a viral online dispute involving a public video post.
The controversy began when 3rd District Board Member Karla Adajar posted a video on Facebook about a local government project in Barangay Hanggan. The video prompted strong reactions from Mayor Caratihan, who described the incident as “unpleasant” and said it harmed the town’s reputation. The public disagreement quickly escalated, drawing attention from residents and sparking debate across social media platforms.
In response, Mayor Caratihan formally requested the Sangguniang Bayan to adopt a resolution expressing a loss of trust and calling for the formal recusal of Board Member Adajar from all communications, endorsements, and discussions involving Calauan projects, ordinances, and resolutions that will be forwarded to the Provincial Government of Laguna.
The resolution was anchored on Article 107(e) of the Local Government Code, emphasizing that the issue is urgent and affects public trust and governance.
The Ethics Commission, chaired by June Joseph Brion, reviewed the matter and unanimously declared Board Member Karla Adajar persona non grata.
The decision was influenced by statements from council members, including councilor Dante Escarez, who said, “Alisin na ang honorable sa pangalan ni bokal sa resolution dahil the act itself is not an honorable one.” He added, “Kailangan man ay hindi ako papayagan na bastusin ang ating mamayan at ang ating punong bayan na sabihan ng mga salita na nakakapanakit hindi lamang sa kanyang pagkatao kundi sa kanya rin pamilya.”
The resolution successfully passed its second reading and is now set for the third and final reading. Local officials said the move aims to protect the dignity of the municipal government and ensure that public discourse remains respectful and aligned with good governance. The Sangguniang Bayan’s action also underscores the local government’s commitment to maintaining public trust amid rising social media conflicts
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