Case vs GRECO: Castro wants Cebu City prosecutors to inhibit

CEBU, Philippines - Following the dismissal of the criminal complaint for concubinage against her husband and his live-in partner, Prosecutor Mary Ann Castro is seeking the inhibition of the entire Cebu City Prosecutor's Office from handling her complaints for alleged partiality.

Castro said she received information from her colleague in the prosecution service that the dismissal of her complaint against Leodegreco "Greco" Sanchez was made upon the instruction of the "higher ups" of the Department of Justice.

Castro claimed that the alleged intervention from the "higher ups" resulted in the dismissal of the complaint despite the "well-grounded" discussion of the jurisprudence to support her claim.

"This is clearly unfair practice tantamount to conduct prejudicial to public interest," she lamented.

Castro believes that the dismissal was prompted by the alliance of Greco's sister, outgoing Provincial Board Member Grecilda Sanchez-Zaballero, with the former justice secretary Leila De Lima in the Liberal Party.

"That's why, I am seeking for justice and pray for the inhibition of the Head of Office of Cebu City, thus the entire Cebu City Prosecutor's Office, lest I will be constrained to take legal actions to protect my rights under the law," she said.

"I do not know what she is talking about. I'm sorry if she feels that way," said Cebu City Prosecutor Liceria Rabillas.

Rabillas refused to give further comment on Castro's allegation.

The Cebu City Prosecutor's Office earlier dismissed the concubinage complaint filed by Castro against Greco and his live-in partner Maricel Gregory for failing to observe the procedure.

Prosecutor Rudolph Joseph Carillo recommended the dismissal of the complaint saying Castro was not the proper party to initiate the legal action.

Article 344 of the Revised Penal Code provides that the crime of adultery and concubinage shall not be prosecuted except upon the complaint filed by the offended spouse.

Carillo noted that the first marriage of Greco is still subsisting after the Regional Trial Court Branch 29 in Toledo City dismissed the petition to declare the marriage between Greco and his first wife, Virginia Magnase-Sanchez, null and void.

Carillo said the offended spouse in this case and the proper party to file the complaint is Greco's wife in the first marriage.

Castro alleged that Greco and Gregory have been living together "in illicit relations" despite his marriage to her.

Castro and Greco got married in a Muslim rite on August 18, 2015, a day after Greco was released from a drug rehabilitation center, but their relationship eventually turned sour.  (FREEMAN)