On Stealing Accusation: Ombudsman clears Castro of admin raps
The Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas has acquitted controversial prosecutor Mary Ann Castro of the administrative charges for grave misconduct and malicious mischief over the allegation that she stole pictures from the court records three years ago.
The anti-graft body found no sufficient evidence against Castro following the court’s dismissal of the contempt charge against her.
Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez approved last December the recommendation of graft investigator Richard Bauzon to dismiss the case for lack of evidence.
The case stemmed from Castro’s alleged stealing of the pictures of Jake Yu attached to the records of the case before the Municipal Trial Court in Cities on
Castro was initially found guilty of contempt but the decision was reversed by the Court of Appeals. According to the appellate court, there was no evidence proving that the court suffered any damage because of Castro’s alleged stealing of the picture.
The CA likewise said the pictures were immediately returned by Castro.
The Ombudsman said the court’s finding of no evidence against Castro also warrants her acquittal of the administrative charges.
The anti-graft office held that Castro’s action has no actual relation to her official function as a prosecutor. Besides, it ruled that she was properly investigated by the aggrieved court and was found innocent.
Castro admitted to having taken the pictures of Yu from the records of the case, but said it was not her intention to steal them.
According to Castro, she just barrowed the pictures to have them photocopied but had forgot to ask permission from the court staff because she was in a hurry to attend the Mass at the
Castro added that she had returned the pictures immediately after the
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