Fiscal accused of 'double' reimbursements; claims black propaganda

CEBU, Philippines - Mayor Michael Rama has asked City Legal Officer Joseph Bernaldez to look into allegations that Assistant Prosecutor Mary Ann Castro collected double reimbursements for her expenses during her activities with the Prosecutors League of the Philippines.

Rama took action after receiving a complaint from a certain Nicanor S. Reyes who claimed to be a resident of Barangay Sambag II.

Reyes also sent the complaint to Justice Secretary Leila De Lima and Prosecutor Raymond Jonathan Lledo, president of the Prosecutors League of the Philippines based in the Department of Justice in Manila.

Reyes alleged that Castro, being an officer of the league, attended at least three of its conferences for free.

In 2009, Castro reportedly attended the 21st NPLP annual national convention in Cagayan de Oro City while she was still a member of the league’s Board of Directors. At that time, Castro allegedly claimed from the city government a reimbursement for her transportation expenses despite the same having reportedly paid for by the league.

Last year, Castro again reportedly attended the 22nd annual convention and 11th national election of officers of the league for which she allegedly claimed reimbursement for her transportation expenses from the city government.

Reyes said further that as vice president of the league, Castro attended the 23rd annual convention of prosecutors’ league held in General Santos City this year and, again, allegedly claimed the same benefits.

In an interview, Castro admitted having claimed reimbursement for some of her expenses, but clarified that what she had asked the city to reimburse were not for the same expenses she sought reimbursement from the league.

She said the complaint might just be a black propaganda against her possible reelection bid for the league’s VP for the Visayas post.

“Lainlain man ang gasto nga ang akong gipangayoan og reimbursement. Dili man mahimo nga double ang claims kay original man ang resibo nga i-support sa claims. Modawat ba gud na sila og photo copies nga dili man?” Castro reasoned.

She said the PLP elections are still six months away “and that’s too early pa for me to campaign for my reelection as vice president for the Visayas. So stop muna ang black propaganda.”

The city allocates specific funds to assist the judiciary in its needs like office equipment, as well as activities of its officers, but the same can only be disbursed upon approval by the City Council. – (FREEMAN)