Cebu prosecutors fight over assignment

Tension is brewing in the Cebu City Prosecutors’ Office where City Prosecutor Nicolas Sellon has not acted on the order of the justice department to replace prosecutor  Mary Ann Castro.

In a letter signed by Prosecutor General Claro Arellano dated May 23, 2012, Sellon was told that Castro’s appointment in Talisay City is “permanent full time.”

Arellano, who signed  in behalf of Justice Secretary Leila De Lima,  told Sellon “to designate another prosecutor to take over her (Castro) cases before Regional Trial Court Branch 15.”

Assistant city prosecutor Aida Sanchez said”Sellon should follow the order.”

Assistant city prosecutor Liceria Lofranco-Rabillas also appealed to Sellon to implement the DOJ order.

Castro dismissed the calls of her colleagues in Cebu City.

“I don’t know why, perhaps they have  personal whims against me,” Castro said.

Castro’s flippant message to her detractors: “Og pagwapahay lang, gwapa pa pud ko ninyo. (If we talk about beauty, I’m more beautiful than you).”

Prosecutor Sanchez didn’t oppose Castro’s remarks.

“I conceeded to her a long time ago but if it’s an issue again, then let the public decide. It would be self-serving if I say I’m beautiful,” she said.

Sanchez said Castro should no longer be entitled to receive the P18,000 monthly allowance issued to prosecutors by the Cebu City government.

Sellon refused to grant interviews on the matter yesterday saying he was busy.