BACOLOD CITY - The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) - Bacolod has filed a complaint against the head of the city’s Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD), two barangay chairpersons, and four others for alleged anomalies in the distribution of the government's Social Amelioration Program (SAP).
Chief Master Sgt. Ramiro Gocotano, deputy city officer and chief investigator of the CIDG - Bacolod, said that charges 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 last 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 five complainants, including two village councilmen, a chief barangay tanod, and two civilians reported that the two barangay officials allegedly selected SAP beneficiaries, who were not residents of the village, and allegedly prioritized their own family members, close relatives and political affiliates as recipients of the financial aid.
Gocotano also said the complainants accused the social worker of failing to conduct the proper social investigation and personal interview on potential SAP beneficiaries in the village, and, instead, conspired with Ta-asan, and her daughter Yelo to prioritize their political allies, adding that many of those who received the SAP subsidy were not qualified.
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).
Meanwhile, the respondents have yet to comment on the allegations against them.
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 they received an order from higher office to conduct an investigation after a photo of a donation box in Barangay Tangub during the SAP distribution 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 release of the second tranche of SAP subsidy, seeking donations from the beneficiaries for the family of a deceased individual.
Villarosa said he respected the decision of the CIDG to conduct an investigation.
Villarosa said he was open to any investigation to find out if he had, indeed, committed any offense. But, he has yet to receive a copy of the complaint.
He said he will face whatever accusations that would be levelled against him in court.