By Jennifer P. Rendon and Glazyl Y. Masculino
Three local officials and two others were criminally charged for their involvement in alleged irregularities in the distribution of the government’s Social Amelioration Program (SAP).
Charged were Barangay Captain Romeo Sultan of Barangay Salamanca, Toboso, Negros Occidental; and Barangay Captain Ramon Jardin, Barangay Secretary Stephen Jalandoon, Purok President Corazon Latoza and Barangay Liaison Officer Rosejean Estador of Barangay Feliza, Bacolod City.
The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group – Region 6 (CIDG-6) filed cases for violation of Republic Act 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act) and RA 11469 (Bayanihan Act to Heal as One) against the five village officials for alleged anomalies in the distribution of SAP funds.
The case against Sultan was docketed as NPS No. VI-14-INV-20F-00217 and handled by Associate Provincial Prosecutor Lorna Fe A. Cañete.
According to the complainant and witnesses, Sultan allegedly “colluded on the irregular identification and inclusion of disqualified SAP beneficiaries in their barangay.”
He allegedly did not properly screen the qualified beneficiaries, but instead prioritize those who are beneficial to their personal interest that resulted in the leaving out of most qualified beneficiaries, according to a report from the CIDG-6.
Sultan has yet to comment on the allegations against him.
The SAP grant is given by the national government to a qualified household affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
The case against Barangay Feliza officials are with the office of Senior Assistant City Prosecutor Lady Liza Rodrigazo-Placido.
A separate Administrative case for violation of RA 6713 (Code of Ethical Standard of Public Official) will be referred at the Office of the Ombudsman upon resumption of its services.
Earlier, 39 persons in Western Visayas were also criminally charged for their alleged involvement in anomalies in the SAP distribution.
The 39 accused were involved in 11 complaints filed from May 6 to 29, 2020. The respondents include 11 barangay captains.
The other respondents are 8 village councilmen and 8 barangay secretaries at 8 each; 5 barangay health workers; and 2 liaison officers.
Also charged were three civilians, a purok leader, and a Municipal Social Welfare Development officer.