CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Assistant Prosecutor Mary Ann Castro has filed administrative complaints before the Ombudsman against Cebu Provincial Board Member Grecilda Sanchez-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 Sanchez.
Castro said that on October 13, her black Ford Ranger 4X4 Wildtrak was taken at about 4 p.m. while being washed. She first reported the incident to the HPG and made the same report to the Guadalupe Police Station the following day.
On the same day, however, she reportedly received a text message from a certain Maricel Raffinan Gregory that the vehicle was already washed. She reportedly looked the name up on Facebook and printed Gregory’s profile picture. She then brought the picture to the carwash and was informed it was the photo of the woman who took her car.
Castro’s complaint does not state the connection between her husband and Gregory but she said that on October 15, she sent a message to Sanchez to return her car. Sanchez then informed her to get the vehicle from Zaballero.
Castro said she sent a text message to Zaballero telling the latter to bring the vehicle to the Capitol grounds and leave the keys with the guard but she reportedly did not get any response.
She was then surprised when on October 26, reporters went to her office and told her that Sanchez called for a press conference at Zaballero’s office during which he claimed that the vehicle in question was stolen while parked at the Capitol grounds.
Castro said Zaballero reportedly called the PNP city director and PNP regional director to report the alleged theft.
On November 3, Castro followed up on her complaint with the HPG but was told the agency has chosen to set it aside in favor of the complaint Sanchez filed on October 26, about the vehicle disappearing from the Capitol grounds. Castro questioned why HPG used the evidence she submitted to support her complaint.
Vehicle use
In the same complaint with the Ombudsman, Castro alleged that Zaballero used a government vehicle without authority to transfer Sanchez from Argao to the court in Cebu City and back where he was staying for rehab.
Castro said that on October 23, Sanchez appeared before the Talisay City Police Station to have her reported for allegedly keeping his Rolex watch. This was allegedly upon Zaballero’s “instruction and prodding,” which constitutes conduct prejudicial to public interest.
Castro pointed out, however, that Sanchez was wearing the watch during the press conference on October 26, three days after he went to the Talisay Police.
In a text message to The Freeman, Zaballero said she will face the charges filed against her. (FREEMAN)