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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider 42 barangay officials now face charges over SAP anomalies

42 barangay officials now face charges over SAP anomalies

Published May 21, 2020 12:00 am
By Chito Chavez The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said on Thursday that 42 barangay officials are now facing criminal charges for alleged social amelioration program (SAP)-related anomalies before the Prosecutor’s Office of the Department of Justice (DOJ) with the number rising by almost 80 percent “in a matter of three days.” DILG Secretary Eduardo Año (PCOO/ MANILA BULLETIN) DILG Secretary Eduardo Año (PCOO/ MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO) DILG Secretary Eduardo M. Año said this is a huge leap from the previous record of 23 officials who were criminally charged as of May 17. The Philippine National PoliceCriminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) filed the criminal cases on orders of Año. Año vowed the campaign against corruption is being undertaken seriously as the DILG and the PNP will further intensify its task of getting rid of rogue barangay officials. The DILG chief noted that “splitting” is among the top complaints leveled against erring barangay officials who reportedly divide the SAP cash aid of one family allegedly to benefit other families. A DILG report said that Barangay Chairman Gary Remoquillo in San Pedro City, Laguna, is now in hot water after allegedly splitting the SAP cash incentives among the residents, a practice which was allegedly done following the procedures of nearby home owners associations (HOAs) in the area. The report also noted that a similar incident was also done in Barangay Batang in Irosin, Sorsogon, where barangay officials Omar G. Guban, Junel G. Guban, and barangay health worker (BHW) Girlie Prejas reportedly asked the SAP beneficiary to return ₱2,000 from the ₱5,000 cash assistance so that this may allegedly be given to those not included in the list of SAP beneficiaries. In Manito, Albay, Barangay Councilor Ma. Dely Ala allegedly deprived the complainants half of the amount of their SAP cash assistance allegedly to benefit those who were not included in the master list of beneficiaries. Officials in Barangay Nati, Maasin, Southern Leyte; Barangay Jordan, Villaba, Leyte; Barangay Luzong, Manabo, Abra; Barangay Mariblo, San Francisco Del Monte, Quezon City; Barangay Old Balara, Quezon City, were also in a similar situations because of alleged “splitting” of SAP cash assistance. Aside from splitting, Año said getting a cut from the SAP financial aid of beneficiaries also emerged as a top complaint against some barangay officials. In times of severe crisis, Año lashed out at the corrupt barangay officials for even thinking of getting cuts from the cash aid of the poor households. “That is corruption at its finest. Hindi natin ito palalampasin (We will never tolerate this),” said Año. Citing another case, Año said that 41-year-old Marcialo Mendoza, a barangay tanod head in Olongapo City is currently detained for reportedly asking ₱3,000 from a SAP beneficiary so that this may allegedly be given to barangay officials. Meanwhile, Barangay Chairman Ramon S Jardin, barangay secretary Stephen Jalandon, Purok (area) president Corazon Latoza and liaison officer Rose Jean Estador of Barangay Feliza, Bacolod City, allegedly got ₱4,000 from the ₱6,000 financial aid received by the SAP beneficiaries. Barangay Chairman Rey Cabian and officials of Quimloong, Bucay, Abra are also facing criminal charges for alleged conspiracy in illegally collecting their “share” of cash assistance from the SAP beneficiaries. Suspect Ivor John Laug-laug Casinas of Bansalan, Davao del Sur was arrested during an entrapment operation after he was caught in the act of accepting ₱1,000 marked money from a SAP beneficiary. The DILG report noted that Casinas has been allegedly soliciting money from qualified SAP recipients. Nepotism DILG spokesman and Undersecretary Jonathan E. Malaya said “that nepotism is also a big no-no in the distribution of SAP financial aid just like what happened to Barangay 11 Zone 2 District 1, Tondo, Manila City”. He noted that Barangay Chairman Leonardo "Leo" Recto is now facing criminal charges for allegedly single-handedly identifying the beneficiaries who are his close friends and relatives and denying the said financial aid to qualified barangay residents. Malaya noted that a barangay secretary and a barangay treasurer in Tallungan, Aparri, Cagayan, are also facing charges for allegedly including themselves among the SAP beneficiaries when they are disqualified from the SAP since they are local government officials. He insisted that being a supporter or a relative of the barangay officials should not be the basis in choosing the SAP beneficiaries. “Ang SAP ay para sa mga tunay na nangangailangan, hindi sa mga katropa (SAP is for the poorest households and not for ones allies),” Malaya emphasized.
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