Prosecutors told to work fast or lose allowances

TO prove he is serious in the speedy disposal of cases, Regional State Prosecutor Fernando Gubalane yesterday vowed to suspend the monthly stipend of any prosecutor who fails to resolve cases in 60 days.

“I will impose the sanction without prejudice to an administrative investigation,” Gubalane told Cebu Daily News.

Gubalane is monitoring the cases lodged before the prosecution offices in Central Visayas.

He urged prosecutors not to sit on cases.

“We are supposed to do our job. We are paid by the people. There’s no need for us to be reminded or sanctioned,” Gubalane said.

He earlier penalized prosecutors in the cities of Cebu and Toledo, and in Negros Oriental for failing to resolve cases on time. .

The prosecutors were not be able to claim their monthly allowance from the Department of Justice (DOJ) until they resolved all “overdue” cases under preliminary investigation.

Gubalane yesterday recognized prosecutors for prosecuting and speedy disposition of human trafficking cases.

They were Cebu City Prosecutor Nicolas Sellon, Lapu-Lapu City Prosecutor Evangeline Gicale; Assistant City Prosecutors Liceria Lofranco-Rabillas and Shelamar Abadia; and Assistant Regional Prosecutor Llena Ipong-Avila.

Former Judge Modesto Juason, chairman ng Inter-Agency Council Against Human Trafficking, handed plaques of recognition to the prosecutors./Reporter Ador Vincent Mayol