Village chief rapped over SAP distribution

By Felipe V Celino 

ROXAS CITY, Capiz – A complaint was filed against Punong Barangay Marilyn Blanco of Lanipga in Panay, Capiz before the office of the Sangguniang Bayan (SB).

Residents of Brgy. Lanipga also want Blanco be charged before the Office of the Ombudsman and Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) for the alleged anomaly in the distribution of the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) by deducting P2,000 from the P6,000 given to the beneficiaries.

The residents were told that the P2,000 will be given to some residents who were not qualified for the financial assistance of the government because of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

SB Member Christian Theodore Mejia town confirmed the filing of the complaint which was referred to the Committee of the Whole for study.

Blanco was first charged by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)-Capiz before the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office.

Based on the press release issued by CIDG-Region 6, charges for violations of Republic Act 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act) was filed against the punong barangay after four complainants sought the help of the CIDG-Capiz.

Blanco was also rapped for violations of RA 11469 (An Act Declaring the Existence of A National Emergency Arising from the Corona Virus Disease 2019), RA 6713 (An act establishing a code of conduct ethical standards for public officials and employees), among other charges.

Daily Guardian is still trying to get Blanco’s side.