News Briefs
Zafra assumes council seat
ON his first session day, Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) President Philip Zafra asked his colleagues in the Cebu City Council to guide him and help him learn.
“As a neophyte councilor, I need to learn a lot. I hope my fellow councilors will guide me. I need patience and understanding when I commit mistakes and shortcomings,” he said.
He said he was happy and contented to have served the people as the chief of staff of Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama.
“I have only one agenda, and that is to stand with you for what is right,” he said to fellow councilors.
The neophyte barangay chairman won against Capitol Site barangay captain Manuel Guanzon during the ABC elections last month.
As ABC president, Zafra, Barangay Captain of Tisa, earned a seat in the council. Correspondent Jose Santino S. Bunachita
Ca nixes Ombud ruling against controversial fiscal
Good news for controversial prosecutor Mary Ann Castro at the start of the year.
The Court of Appeals (CA) reversed an earlier ruling of the Ombudsman Visayas which held Castro administratively liable for purportedly filing a petition for annulment of her marriage in two different courts.
In a decision penned by Associate Justice Pamela Maxino, the appellate court said the Ombudsman made a mistake in suspending Castro for three months.
Maxino reversed and set aside the anti-graft office’s ruling and ordered that Castro be paid with her “full back salaries and other emoluments that she did not receive by reason of her three-month suspension.”
“There is no substantial evidence to hold Castro liable for misconduct in office. Certainly, the decision and order of the Ombudsman with respect to the administrative aspect of the case are invalid,” Maxino said.
In a text message sent to Cebu Daily News, Castro said she’s discussing with her lawyer the possibility of filing a criminal case against former Asst. Ombudsman Virginia Palanca-Santiago who ordered her suspension.
Castro said she will seek damages from Santiago worth P10 million.
The CA said the administrative proceedings before the Ombudsman should have been suspended or deferred until the rendition of final judgment in the case. Also, Maxino said Castro didn’t violate the rule against forum shopping which happens when a plaintiff or defendant pursues their case in two possible courts. Reporter Ador Vincent Mayol
Mass wedding in Carcar City in Feb.
UNMARRIED couples in Carcar City are invited to a mass wedding to be officiated by Mayor Nicepuro Apura on Feb. 28.
Carcar City Hall information officer Candice Acuña said the city will sponsor the wedding rings, wine, wedding cake, and the reception for 10 guests per couple, a token, an acoustic band and souvenir photos.
The exchange of vows will start at 2:00 p.m. at the Saint Catherine de Alexandria parish and the reception will follow in front of Carcar City Hall.
Interested couples must comply with the requirements such as birth and baptismal certificates and certificate of no marriage. Either of the couple must be a resident of Carcar City and both must be at least 25 years old. Correspondent Gabriel C. Bonjoc
