By Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD City – The head of the Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD) here, two village chiefs, and four others were charged in relation to the alleged anomalies in the distribution of the government’s Social Amelioration Program (SAP).
Police Chief Master Sergeant Ramiro Gocotano, deputy city officer and chief investigator of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)-Bacolod, said a criminal complaint for violation of Republic Act (RA) 3019 or the Anti-Graft Corrupt Practices Act, RA 11469 or the Bayanihan Act to Heal, and RA 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees were filed before the City Prosecutor’s Office Thursday.
The respondents were Barangay 11 chairman Evelyn Ta-asan, Barangay Kagawad Runela Yelo, a social worker, and DSSD head Pacita Tero.
Gocotano said that two village council members, a chief barangay tanod, and two civilians lodged a complaint against the two barangay officials, accusing them of selecting SAP beneficiaries who were not residents of the village, and allegedly prioritizing their family members, close relatives and political affiliates.
Gocotano also said that the complainants alleged that the social worker failed to conduct the proper social investigation and personal interview to the potential SAP beneficiaries in the village, and instead conspired with Ta-asan, and her daughter, Yelo to prioritize their political allies.
He said that Tero was implicated in the complaint, when she reportedly signed the document with listed names of SAP beneficiaries evaluated and assessed by the social worker and the barangay officials, which was submitted to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
He said that many of those who received the SAP subsidy were not qualified.
A SAP grant is given by the national government through the DSWD to qualified beneficiaries affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
Daily Guardian tried to reach the respondents for comment, but to no avail.
The CIDG also filed a complaint for violation of RA 3019 and RA 11469 last Wednesday against Barangay Tangub chairman Noli Villarosa, and two barangay workers.
He said that the higher office and other law enforcement units ordered them to conduct an investigation after a photo of a donation box from the said barangay during the SAP distribution earlier circulated on social media.
During the investigation, he said they learned that Villarosa reportedly instructed the two barangay workers to put a donation box at the entrance of the village’s covered court during the releasing of the second tranche of SAP subsidy.
It was supported by an announcement for SAP recipients to voluntarily give any amount to the donation box, to be given to the family of a deceased individual who was asking for financial assistance from the barangay.
For his part, Villarosa said he respects the decision of the CIDG to conduct an investigation and the filing of case.
“Nami man na, mayo man na, para mabal-an kung ano ang deperensya,” he added.
Villarosa said he is open to be investigated to find out if he committed any offense. But said he has yet to receive a copy of the complaint.
He said he will face whatever accusations in court.
