Fiscal asks city to release accumulated allowances

CEBU, Philippines -  Cebu City assistant prosecutor Mary Ann Castro is asking Mayor Michael Rama to release her uncollected monthly allowance from City Hall amounting to P132,500, which was withheld upon orders of former mayor Tomas Osmeña. 

Osmeña suspended Castro’s allowance starting last April 16, 2005 after the prosecutor figured in several controversial cases, among them was the conflict between Filipino-Chinese brothers Jake and Nanak Yu over a traffic-related case.

The suspension was lifted two years later on June 13, 2007, but it was Castro who failed to collect the same.

In an order dated June 13, 2007, Osmeña said Castro is entitled to collect her allowances from the time that her benefits were suspended.

Castro said some City Hall officials promised her that the amount would be included in the supplemental budgets, but the same reportedly never materialized.

When she processed for reimbursement, Castro said she was asked to produce the original copy of Osmeña’s order. Only a machine copy of the order was in her supporting papers, but the same was not honored. 

She was then advised to ask Rama issue an official letter for the release of the amount.

Castro told the mayor she is a single parent with two children and that the uncollected allowances would help them greatly.

Rama said he will ask City Administrator Jose Mari Poblete to attend to the request. The city is reportedly willing to grant the same as long as there are available funds. — (FREEMAN)