By Jennifer P. Rendon
The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in Region 6 sued two personnel of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for alleged anomalies in the distribution of the government’s emergency subsidy program.
Cases for violation of Republic Act 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corruption Practices Act) and RA 11469 (Bayanihan to Heal as One Act) were filed against Svenina Billones, PDO II, and Jande Arroyo, Social Welfare assistant, of the DSWD municipal link in Dumangas, Iloilo.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Gervacio Balmaceda Jr., CIDG-6 regional director, said they filed the two complaints against the two DSWD personnel before the Iloilo Provincial Prosecutors Office on July 29, 2020.
Balmaceda said a civilian informant first reported to the CIDG-Iloilo Provincial Field Unit 6 accusing Billones and Arroyo of irregularities in the distribution of the Social Amelioration Program (SAP).
Upon validation, five complainants attested that following the distribution of SAP cash assistance on April 2020, the local government unit (LGU) told several “disqualified” beneficiaries to return the P6,000 cash aid.
Billones and Arroyo, being DSWD employees, allegedly received the returned cash aid from the disqualified beneficiaries.
However, they failed to issue an official receipt which is contrary to the guidelines issued by the DSWD.
A separate Administrative case for Violation of R.A. 6713 (Code of Ethical Standard of Public Official) will be referred at the Office of the Ombudsman upon resumption of its services.
Balmaceda said they also filed SAP-related cases in Bacolod City on July 28.
The latest filing brought to 34 the total number of cases handled by CIDG-6.
Balmaceda said 163 persons were already charged in court.
“They comprised of respondents for alleged anomalies in the first tranche of SAP distribution,” he said.
As the second tranche of SAP payout is ongoing and has recently completed in the region, Balmaceda said they do not expect more complaints, unlike in the first round of distribution.
“They have now ironed things out and their system is somehow in place,” he said.
