Forty-six barangay heads were issued show cause orders by the city government over alleged irregularities in their distribution of food and financial assistance to residents.
Acting Manila City Administrator Marlon Lacson ordered the barangay officials to explain the allegations against them within 72 hours.
Should they fail to do so, they may face charges for violation of Republic Act (R.A.) No. 11469 or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, R.A. 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and other relevant city ordinances.
In his city address Tuesday night, Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso also said that three barangay officials from Tondo are now being investigated by the police and may face criminal and administrative charges for reportedly reducing the amount of food from relief packs intended for residents.
“Wala po talaga silang karapatan na gawin ‘yon sapagka’t ang mga iyon ay nakalaan para sainyo,” he said.
“Papanagutin po natin sila, mga kababayan, kasi hirap na hirap na nga kayo… ‘yung para nga sa inyo, hindi niyo pa makuha. Ipapakiusap niyo pa sa barangay official, tapos dadaan-daanan lang kayo,” he added.
The food and cash assistance that the city government has been doling out amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis are given to barangay officials who are then tasked to distribute the goods to residents.
But Domagoso said they received complaints from residents not receiving or only getting half of the P1,000 cash assistance allocated by the city government to each family in Manila.
Some residents also complained of receiving food packs with its contents reduced.
A number of senior citizens claimed that they were not given the milk food supplement provided by the city government. (Minka Tiangco)