ILOILO City – Five barangay officials of Salvacion, Molo district here were charged with violation of the Anti-Graft and Corruption Practices Act and the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act.
The charges were filed on Aug. 11 at the Iloilo City Prosecutor’s Office by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) which President Rodrigo Duterte tasked with investigating complaints related to the distribution of the emergency cash assistance under the Social Amelioration Program (SAP).
The five barangay officials were Barangay Captain Nelson Muñoz, village councilmen John Rey Padilla and Nestor Muñoz, village council secretary Mary Jean Ma-at , and village council treasurer Jing-jing Salbino.
According to CIDG Region 6 chief Police Lieutenant Colonel Gervacio Balmaceda, his office received six complaints from barangay residents claiming that some unqualified individuals were able to receive SAP assistance, contrary to the guidelines issued by the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
The respondents could not be reached for comment as of this writing.
Balmaceda said a separate administrative case for violation of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees will be filed against the respondents before the Office of the Ombudsman.
“Napakarami na nang kinasohan natin. Baka tataas pa kasi may second tranche pa ang SAP,” said Balmaceda.
As of Aug. 12, 195 village officials across Region 6 have been charged by the CIDG in relation to the SAP./PN
