Barangay captain, 3 others charged for SAP ‘anomalies’

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)-Bacolod filed on Tuesday criminal charges against a village chief here, and three others for alleged irregularities on Social Amelioration Program (SAP) distribution.

Police Chief Master Sergeant Ramiro Gocotano, CIDG-Bacolod head, said Barangay 19 chairman Kim Piramo, barangay secretary Joemarie Cordeta, barangay treasurer Raiza Fronda, and barangay health worker Jean Doromal are facing charges for violation of Republic Act 3019 (Anti-Graft Corrupt Practices Act), RA 11469 (Bayanihan Act to Heal as One), and RA 6713 (Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees) before the City Prosecutor’s Office.

Gocotano said that the charges stemmed from the complaints of 11 residents, including a person with disability (PWD) in the said village earlier this month.

He said that the complainants accused the respondents of connivance after their relatives and families who are not qualified recipients of SAP allegedly received the cash aid.

The SAP aid is given by the national government to qualified households affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Piramo refused to comment on the accusations against him since the matter is already with the prosecutor.

Meanwhile, CIDG-Bacolod will also file charges against a village chief and four others in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental in relation to alleged SAP anomalies.