Zaballero told: Answer charges

CEBU, Philippines – The Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas has ordered Cebu Provincial Board Member Grecilda Sanchez-Zaballero to answer the administrative charges filed against her for her alleged meddling in the investigation conducted by the Highway Patrol Group-7 into the carnapping incident involving the vehicle of her sister-in-law.

Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas Paul Elmer Clemente gave Zaballero 10 days from receipt of the order to file her counter-affidavit and controverting evidence.

Zaballero was also warned that failure to comply with the order shall be deemed a waiver of her right to answer.

“Failure to comply as herein directed within the period prescribed by the rules shall be deemed a waiver of the right to present the party’s counter-affidavit or reply-affidavit and the investigation shall proceed according to existing rules,” the order read.

Clemente said that motion to dismiss or bill of particulars, and other dilatory motions such as extension, second motions for reconsideration and/ or re-investigation are prohibited and shall be stricken off the records.

Assistant city prosecutor Mary Ann Castro filed three administrative complaints against Zaballero, her sister-in-law.

Castro said Zaballero committed grave abuse of authority when she intervened in the investigation of HPG-7 and used her position “to intimidate” HPG officials when she “constantly bombarded them with text messages and calls” even if she was not the owner of the stolen vehicle.

The vehicle was registered under the name of Castro but was allegedly bought by her husband, Leodegreco Sanchez. On October 13, 2015, the Ford Ranger 4X4 Wildtrak was stolen at about 4 p.m. while in the carwash. Castro reported the carnapping incident before the HPG-7.

Castro also reported the incident at the Guadalupe Police Station. On that same day she reported it to the police station, a text message coming from a certain Maricel Raffinan Gregory was received by her informing her that the car was not hers.

Castro said she immediately searched for the name of the texter on Facebook and printed her picture. She presented the picture of Gregory to the carwash attendant to verify if it was the same person who took her car.

Castro said that after it was confirmed, she immediately texted her husband to return the vehicle. But, her husband allegedly told her to get it instead from Zaballero.

Castro said she texted Zaballero but the latter did not answer. However, on October 26, 2015 she was surprised to learn from the members of the media that her husband had called for a press conference at the office of Zaballero claiming that the vehicle was stolen at the parking lot of the Capitol compound.

Zaballero allegedly called up the city police director and the regional police director to report the alleged carnapping.

Castro said what surprised her even more is that when she made a follow-up of her complaint on November 3, 2015, she was told by the HPG that her complaint was set aside because of the report made by Zaballero.

On the other hand, she also accused Zaballero of unauthorized use of government vehicle to transport her brother from the drug rehabilitation center in Argao to the court in Cebu City.

Castro said Zaballero is also guilty of conduct prejudicial to public interest. — Mylen P. Manto/FPL (FREEMAN)