More barangay officials, workers sued over SAP ‘anomalies’

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

 

BACOLOD City – More barangay officials and barangay workers are facing criminal complaints for alleged irregularities in the distribution of the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) at Barangay 39 here and Barangay Molocaboc, Sagay City, Negros Occidental.

On August 10, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)-Bacolod filed a complaint before the City Prosecutor’s Office for violation of Republic Act (RA) 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corruption Practices Act) and RA 11469 (Bayanihan to Heal as One Act) against Barangay 39 chairman Jude Salusada, Kagawad Rogelio Faltiquera Jr., and nine barangay employees.

Police Chief Master Sergeant Ramiro Gocotano, chief investigator of CIDG-Bacolod, said five complainants alleged that the respondents did not properly screen the potential SAP beneficiaries as they prioritized their close relatives, family members, and political affiliates to receive the cash subsidy from the national government amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

The CIDG also alleged that some individuals from other barangays who should be considered disqualified under the guidelines of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) were also given the cash aid.

Gocotano said they even received a report that a spouse of a barangay councilor reportedly received the SAP allowance from other barangays, making it a case of “double claims.”

On that same day, two criminal complaints for violation of RA 3019 and RA 11469 were also filed before the Sagay City Prosecutor’s Office against barangay chairman Rocky Pasaylo, kagawads (council member) Marcelino Fernandez Jr., Wilson Tajanlangit, Jessica Marco, Josephine Pasaylo, Rebecca Caranso, and Rolinda Dela Pedra, and a DSWD/SAP coordinator of Barangay Molacaboc.

According to the CIDG-6, the case stemmed from a report received by CIDG-Negros Occidental from a civilian-informant that the respondents allegedly used their position as elected officials and employee to manipulate the final list of SAP beneficiaries that resulted in the inclusion of individuals who were not qualified as beneficiaries contrary to the guidelines issued by the DSWD.

All barangay officials of the two villages will also be facing a separate administrative case for violation of RA 6713 or the Code of Ethical Standard of Public Official, which will be referred at the Office of the Ombudsman upon resumption of its services, the CIDG-6 said.

The CIDG said that all irregularities in the SAP distribution will be properly investigated, with the help of the local police.

Meanwhile, all the named respondents have yet to issue a comment on the allegations against them.