Atty. Mila A. Catabay-Lauigan is a dedicated public servant, lawyer, professor of law, and entrepreneur. Born on March 6, 1968, she is married to Associate Justice Raymond Reyes Lauigan of the Court of Appeals, and they have a daughter, Atty. Keisha Mariah, who serves as an Executive Assistant at the Court of Appeals. Atty. Catabay-Lauigan hails from a family rooted in Tuguegarao, with her parents being Lucas Bucayu Catabay from Cataggaman Viejo and Imelda Taguibao Anog from Centro Enrile, while her parents-in-law are Jose Liban Lauigan of Balzain and Iderlina Calimag Reyes of Centro 4.

Atty. Catabay-Lauigan’s impressive academic record includes earning her Juris Doctor degree with Second Honors from Ateneo De Manila University College of Law in 1994. She also graduated with a BS in Economics from the University of the Philippines-Diliman in 1989, where she was a Dean’s Medalist. She completed her secondary education at Cagayan National High School, where she was awarded First Honorable Mention in 1985, and her elementary education at Cataggaman Elementary School, graduating as the class Valedictorian in 1981.

Her career in public service includes notable positions such as Acting Vice Governor of the Province of Cagayan (October 21 – December 3, 2003), Board Member representing the Third District of Cagayan (1998-2007, 2010-2016, June 30, 2019-present), Supreme Court Accredited Mediator (2009-2020), Public Attorney at the Department of Justice (1996-1998), and Board Attorney at the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board under the Department of Labor and Employment (1995-1996).

In private practice, she has been the Owner and Manager of Catabay-Lauigan Law Office since 1998. She also serves as a part-time professor at the University of Cagayan Valley College of Law (since 1996) and previously taught at the Cagayan State University College of Law (2004-2006, 2012-2016). Her earlier professional experiences include working as an Associate Attorney at Bautista, Picazo, Buyco, Tan & Fider Law Offices in Makati City (1994-1995) and as a Loans Assistant at Far East Bank and Trust Company (1989-1991).

Atty. Catabay-Lauigan has significant business interests, including managing her law office and serving as a Financial Wealth Manager/Owner at FWD Insurance under the Crown Peak Life Insurance Agency. She is also an accredited agent for Pacific Union Insurance Agency.

Her numerous accolades include being a Bar Topnotcher, placing 11th in the 1994 Philippine Bar Examinations, receiving the Ten Most Outstanding Local Legislator of the Philippines award in March 2006 from the National Youth Commission, and being honored as one of the Ten Outstanding Women in Region 02 in 2014. She has been a state scholar under the Department of Education, Culture, and Sports (1985-1989) and a consistent scholar at Ateneo De Manila University (1990-1994).

Atty. Catabay-Lauigan is actively involved in various organizations, currently serving as the Chairperson of the Philippine Red Cross Cagayan Chapter (since 2018) and having held leadership positions in the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, Zonta International District 17, and the Provincial Board Members’ League of the Philippines, among others.

She has authored several important ordinances during her term from 2019-2022, including the Community Learning Assistance Program (CLAP), KalyeSkwela Ordinance, Anti-Spitting Ordinance of 2020, Anti-Passenger Top Loading Ordinance, and ordinances promoting women entrepreneurship, consumer protection, and safety measures. Her legislative actions also include resolutions advocating for medical services for senior citizens, honoraria adjustments for barangay officials, reopening district hospitals, and equitable distribution of No Barangay Left Behind (NBLB) funds.

Atty. Mila A. Catabay-Lauigan’s extensive experience and dedication to public service, law, and education have significantly impacted the community and the various sectors she has served.