By Glazyl Masculino
BACOLOD CITY - The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)-Bacolod has filed a new criminal complaint before the City Prosecutor's Office on Wednesday in relation to alleged irregularities in the distribution of the government’s cash aid under the Social Amelioration Program (SAP).
Charged for violation of Republic Act (RA) 3019, the Anti-Graft Corrupt Practices Act, and RA 11469, the Bayanihan Act to Heal was Ernesto Gonzaga of Purok Tinagong Paraiso, Barangay Banago here. He is an appointed purok chairman of the said village.
Chief Master Sgt. Ramiro Gocotano, CIDG-Bacolod head, said that they received a complaint from a resident in the village accusing Gonzaga for allegedly deducting P4,000 from his P6,000 SAP allowance when they met on April 29, 2020.
Based on the allegation of the complainant, Gonzaga deducted P4,000 from him to be used for the expenses of the frontliners in the village, Gocotano said.
But the complainant said that he did not receive any supporting documents of acknowledgement receipt for proof of purpose, he added.
A SAP allowance is given by the national government to qualified beneficiaries affected by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
The complainant was accompanied by another SAP beneficiary during the filing of charges at the Hall of Justice here. The second SAP beneficiary reportedly experienced the same problem with Gonzaga but managed to refuse his demand, Gocotano said.
Gonzaga is among the individuals here who are facing charges for the alleged SAP anomalies since May.
Gocotano said that the CIDG continues to validate the complaints it has been receiving against other erring barangay officials and individuals here in relation to the SAP distribution.