By Jennifer P. Rendon
Ninety-eight persons were slapped with criminal cases for alleged irregularities in the distribution of the government’s Social Amelioration Program (SAP).
The number swelled after several village officials in two barangays in Miag-ao, Iloilo added to the list of respondents in SAP-related complaints.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Gervacio Balmaceda Jr., Criminal Investigation and Detection Group – Region 6 (CIDG-6) regional director, said the charges stemmed from allegations that the respondents allegedly included relatives who were ineligible in the first tranche of the SAP distribution.
Eight elected and two appointed officials of Barangay Ubos Ilaya, Miag-ao were charged for violation of Republic Act 3019 (Anti Graft and Corruption Practices Act) and RA 11469 (Bayanihan to Heal as One Act).
They were identified as Punong Barangay Oscar Moleno Sr. and his seven village councilman identified as Elsie Matias, Nereza Fagutao, Nerito Mocerate, Robeto Mogatar, Noel Napilan Jr., Retchy Noveros, and Vivian Ezpelet.
Also charged were Barangay Treasurer Haydee Farangao and Barangay Secretary Ruben Farochilen Jr.
Balmaceda said five persons filed complaints against the ten respondents for allegedly excluding the “poorest of the poor” from the SAP list.
“The complainants alleged that the quota for the SAP beneficiaries were filled up because they included their relatives,” Balmaceda said.
The same charges were also filed against official of Barangay Tabunacan – Punong Barangay Evangeline Moncal; and Barangay Kagawad Candelaria Saba, Nordenil Espino, Rene Perez, Petal Fagutao, and Ricardo Narida.
Also charged was Barangay Secretary Katherine Joy Sasana.
Two complainants alleged that the respondents included SAP beneficiaries who are deemed ineligible.
As of July 1, 2020, Balmaceda said the CIDG-6 filed 21 cases all over the region.
