THE Ombudsman-Visayas dismissed the criminal and administrative charges filed against Cebu City Asst. Prosecutor Mary Ann Castro who was accused of receiving a P10,000 bribe from a Filipino-Iranian in 2011.
In a resolution, the anti-graft office said there was no sufficient evidence to prove the allegations leveled against Castro.
“Complainant’s bare accusations cannot support a finding of probable cause against Castro and the private respondents…,” said graft investigation and prosecution officer Anna Isabel Aurellano.
Castro was found not guilty of charges of qualified bribery, concealment of documents, falsification of public documents, and a violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
Aside from Castro, the Ombudsman also cleared private respondents Adnan Alkazim, Jeanette Caramelo, and Rhona Dekit.
Castro was earlier accused of receiving bribe money from Patrick George who filed a complaint of illegal recruitment against Adnan Alkazim.
Alkazim who was arrested by police in an entrapment operation in January 2011.
George questioned why Castro served as Alkazim’s counsel during the fluorescent powder examination.
The parties supposedly agreed to settle the case amicably but Alkazim failed to keep his promise to pay George in return for dropping the complaint.
In her counter-affidavit, Castro denied demanding or receiving money from George.
Castro said her ruling to dismiss the case was reviewed by then Asst. Prosecutor Oscar Capacio and approved by former Cebu City Prosecutor Nicolas Sellon.
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