By Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD City – Five barangay officials and two others at Matab-ang village in Talisay City, Negros Occidental are facing criminal charges for alleged anomalies in the distribution of the government’s Social Amelioration Program (SAP).
The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)-Negros Occidental led by Police Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Gantang filed before the City Prosecutor’s Office on Friday cases for violation of Republic Act (RA) 3019 (Anti-Graft Corrupt Practices Act) and RA 11469 (Bayanihan Act to Heal as One) against Barangay Captain Manuel Apellido Jr., Barangay Kagawads Erlinda Bruno, Garry Saludares, Ronald Puson, and Randy Mananquil, barangay secretary Janelle Isabelle Legaspi, and barangay treasurer Evelyn Cabale.
A press release from CIDG-6 said that the charges stemmed from reports that the respondents allegedly distributed SAP allowances of P6,000 to beneficiaries identified as their relatives and affiliates.
“These officials allegedly did not properly screen the qualified beneficiaries but instead prioritize those who are beneficial to their personal interest that resulted in the exclusion of most qualified beneficiaries,” the press release said.
The SAP allowance from the national government is granted to a qualified beneficiary affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
The CIDG, as indicated by their investigation, also found out there are still families identified as poorest of the poor but were not included in the list of qualified beneficiaries.
The respondents have yet to comment on the accusations against them.
A separate administrative case for violation of RA 6713 (Code of Ethical Standard of Public Official) will also be filed against the respondents at the Office of the Ombudsman.
Police Major General Joel Napoleon Coronel, CIDG director, said that they will continue to investigate irregularities in the SAP distribution particularly those public officials who deliberately used their position to take advantage during the COVID-19 pandemic.
