THE Department of Justice (DOJ) has suspended Prosecutor Mary Ann Castro-Sanchez for three months without pay while the charges against her are being heard by the justice department.

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre placed Castro under 90 days preventive suspension while the DOJ’s Internal Affairs Unit hears the administrative complaint filed by former Cebu Provincial Board (PB) Member Grecilda Zaballero.

Zaballero, whose brother Greco had married Castro in 2015, has accused the prosecutor of violating the Code of Conduct for Public Prosecutors and the Code of Professional Responsibility. She said that Castro, among other complaints, used her knowledge, connections, and influence as a prosecutor to get close to Greco Sanchez.

Interviewed over the phone, Castro said the DOJ report is “unprocedural and unconstitutional.” But Castro welcomed the investigation, adding that Greco had assured her that the properties for which she was afforded a special power of attorney are more than enough to support the next generation.

Lawyer Inocencio de la Cerna, spokesperson for the Sanchez family, said that Zaballero has yet to receive a copy of the DOJ order.

Castro has 10 days upon receipt of the report to answer the DOJ. (GMD)