By Jeffrey Damicog
Five persons including three barangay officials of Hagonoy, Bulacan face charges before the Department of Justice (DOJ) over their involvement in the alleged anomalous distribution of the Social Amelioration Program (SAP).
Meanwhile, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Officer-In-Charge Director Eric Distor Thursday, May 14, urged the public to be vigilant and report to the NBI anomalies concerning SAP.
Distor said the charges against the five persons were filed before the DOJ last Monday, May 11.
The local officials who were named as respondents in the case were identified the three officials as Barangay San Agustin Chairman Jason Mendoza, Kagawad Danilo Flores, and Executive Assistant Richard Bautista.
Their co-respondents are former Kagawad Levi Cosay and Bautista’s wife, Regine.
Citing the complaint filed before the DOJ, Distor said the five persons are accused of having violated the Republic Act 11469, the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act which provides for the distribution of SAP funds to low income households ranging from P5,000 to P8,000.
Distor said that case was filed before the DOJ after the NBI conducted an investigation based on the allegations of three complainants.
The complainants said that last April 27 they each received P6,500 from the SAP at the payout site at the San Agustin Elementary School in Hagonoy.
However, they recounted that Flores who was accompanied by a certain Michael Perez, asked each of them to hand over P4,000 against their will.
Flores allegedly told them that P3,500 will be given to Hagonoy Mayor Raulito Manlapaz Sr. and P500 to frontliners of the municipality.
The complainants alleged that Flores also threatened them that they will get blacklisted from subsequent SAP distribution if they did not give the money.
Distor noted that witnesses said Flores was able to collect a total of P117,000 which was turned over to the Bautistas who have the trust of Flores.