CIDG sues village chief, 20 others over SAP anomalies

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)-Bacolod continue to go after those barangay officials and individuals allegedly involved in anomalies in the distribution of the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) here.

Police Chief Master Sergeant Ramiro Gocotano, CIDG-Bacolod head, said criminal charges for violation of Republic Act 3019 (Anti-Graft Corrupt Practices Act), RA 11469 (Bayanihan to Heal as One Act) and RA 6713 (Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees) were filed against 21 persons before the City Prosecutor’s Office yesterday.

The respondents were Barangay Alangilan Chairman Degie Tanista Sr., Kagawad Michael Solano, their barangay secretary, five barangay staffers, and 13 surveyors.

Four of the surveyors were relatives and family members of the village chief and barangay secretary, based on the complaint.

Gocotano said that some of the SAP recipients were believed to be the relatives, family members, and political affiliates of the respondents, while other beneficiaries were alleged to be unqualified to receive the cash aid because of their high income apart from not being bonafide residents of the village.

Based on the CIDG’s criminal complaint, Tanista, as village chief, signed and approved the list of names of the SAP beneficiaries prepared by the appointed barangay officials and employees and was submitted to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) here.

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

The complaint alleged that the respondents refused to accept the appeal of the seven complainants to include them in the SAP distribution.

Also, the complainants alleged that Solano was behind the selection process being one of its members and the head of SAP distribution on April 23, 2020.

In its investigation, the CIDG found out that the respondents did not properly screen the qualified beneficiaries but instead “prioritized those who are beneficial to their personal interest that resulted in the leaving out of most qualified beneficiaries.”

Both barangay officials have yet to air their side on the complaint against them.