Castro files additional charges vs Bureau of Immigration officials

CEBU, Philippines – Cebu City Assistant Prosecutor Mary Ann Castro yesterday filed two more criminal complaints against her nemesis at the Bureau of Immigration where she was detailed as acting chief of the Board of Special Inquiry.

She has so far filed at least four cases against acting immigration regional director Casimiro Madarang III, technical assistant to the commissioner Romeo “Butch” Junia and Fernando San Ramon, Jr., president of the Cebu Immigration Officers Association Inc. since the three officials declared war against Castro early this week.

Castro separately filed yesterday a complaint for libel against Madarang and San Ramon before the Mandaue City Prosecutor’s Office and Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office, respectively.

She also filed another complaint for usurpation of official function in violation of the Article 177 of the Revised Penal Code against Madarang and Junia in Mandaue City.

Castro previously filed falsification of public documents and dishonesty against Madarang before the office of the Visayas Ombudsman.

The libel complaints stemmed from Madarang and San Ramon’s allegations that Castro is extorting money from foreigners and is demanding overtime pay from the airport even if she is not entitled to.

Madarang and San Ramon earlier filed a complaint against Castro for graft and corruption, direct bribery and extortion before the Office of the Ombudsman Visayas.

According to Castro, she filed usurpation of official function against Junia and Madarang because the former was allegedly misrepresenting himself as assistant secretary of the Presidential Management Staff. Madarang allegedly conspired in such “false” representation, which made him equally liable.

Castro said Junia’s contract as assistant secretary of the PMS expired on February 28, 2009, the day where his detail order to the immigration also expired.

Based on a certification issued by PMS undersecretary Charito Elegir, Junia is no longer connected with the PMS. Despite that, Castro said he continues to misrepresent himself as assistant secretary.

Castro attached in her complaint newspaper clippings and press releases that address Junia as assistant secretary. She said Madarang conspired with the alleged misrepresentation by allowing Junia to occupy the office space of Commissioner Marcelino Libanan in their building.

She also questioned why Junia was given a secretary when he has no contract to show and personnel order to support the office he is holding.

However, Junia just laughed off Castro’s complaint, saying “it’s a good case” and that he will win damages for malicious prosecution.

He explained that Castro’s failure to get a copy of his contract does not mean he does not have one. He added that it is not Castro’s business to get a copy of his contract.

Castro allegedly tried to secure a copy of Junia’s contract but he asked her to write a formal request and state the reason why she wanted it. — Fred P. Languido/WAB  (THE FREEMAN)