Zaballero won’t let Castro’s words pass

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Board Member Grecilda Sanchez-Zaballero has warned she will not tolerate the accusation of Assistant Prosecutor Mary Ann Castro that she is using her position to run after the fiscal.

“It has always been my advocacy to stand up against officials or individuals who tend to go above the law…then probably if she thinks she is one of those who have been going above the law…then I might be after her,” Zaballero said.

Zaballero cited her track record of standing up to continue the case her father, the late vice governor Gregorio Sanchez Jr., filed, which led to the suspension of former governor Gwendolyn Garcia.

She also pointed out her task as chairperson of the Provincial Board’s committee on complaints and investigation.

Zaballero said it is Castro who is using her position as a prosecutor.

Castro has filed administrative complaints before the Ombudsman against Zaballero for allegedly intervening in the investigation the Highway Patrol Group-7 has conducted into the incident involving her stolen vehicle.

Castro alleged Zaballero committed grave abuse of authority when she allegedly intervened in the official investigation of HPG-7 and used her position “to intimidate” HPG officials when she “constantly bombarded them with text messages and calls” despite her not being the owner of the vehicle.

Zaballero is the sister of Castro’s husband, Leodegreco “Greco” Sanchez.

In the same complaint with the Ombudsman, Castro alleged that Zaballero also used a government vehicle without authority to transfer Sanchez from Argao to the court in Cebu City and back where he was staying for rehabilitation. —(FREEMAN)