Madarang to go after Castro's secretary next

CEBU, Philippines – After succeeding in having assistant Cebu City Prosecutor Mary Ann Castro recalled from the Bureau of Immigration, acting immigration regional director Casimiro Madarang III said that the private secretary of the controversial lady prosecutor will be next in line.

Madarang said he will also move for the ouster of Norme Mante, a confidential agent of the BI assigned in Caloocan City, but is reporting in Cebu as Castro’s private secretary. 

Madarang questioned Mante’s presence in Cebu, because she is not assigned here and is allegedly acting as fixer.

Mante used to be assigned in Cebu but the BI officials here lobbied for the non renewal of her contract because of several complaints.

Castro, however, allegedly managed to have her contract renewed starting January, but Mante was transferred to Caloocan City. Despite that order, Mante did not report to Caloocan.

In fact, Madarang said, Mante was the source of his conflict with Castro because he tried to deny the latter’s entry to the BI office in Mandaue.

Castro reportedly called him up and threatened to sue him for abuse of authority.

Madarang said now that Castro has been recalled he will now act on Mante. He also threatened to file charges against her.

Castro was recalled from the BI upon the intervention of Malacañang following complaints of Madarang.

Madarang sought the help of Acting Executive Secretary and Press Secretary Cerge Remonde to have Castro recalled from the BI because of alleged irregularities.

Remonde personally requested Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales to relieve Castro and take appropriate disciplinary action against her.

Remonde’s letter to Gonzales was later used by Castro to file a P20-million libel suit against the Cebuano cabinet member.

Gonzales relieved Castro last week and ordered her to report to him in Manila to answer the complaints.

The Justice Secretary also issued another order for Castro to explain her failure to immediately report to Manila.

Meanwhile, Regional State Prosecutor Fernando Gubalani said that since the Department of Justice is already handling the case, then they will just wait for the decision to be made.

Gubalani said as far as he knows, most of the prosecutors are reportedly performing properly and are doing well in their jobs.

But Gubalani said that if there is any complaint on prosecutors, he will entertain it and said that the complainants should feel free to approach his office so that their concerns would be addressed. – Fred P. Languido, AJ de la Torre/NLQ (THE FREEMAN)