BY GLAZYL MASCULINO
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BACOLOD CITY – Ten persons, including a barangay chairman of Mansilingan village here, are facing criminal charges for alleged irregularities in the distribution of the government’s Social Amelioration Program (SAP).
Barangay Chairman Rodolfo Pico Jr., a barangay secretary, two purok presidents, and six purok kagawads were charged for violation of Republic Act (RA) 3019 or the Anti-Graft Corrupt Practices Act, RA 11469 or the Bayanihan Act to Heal, and RA 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.
The charges stemmed from the complaints of four residents of the said village.
The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)-Bacolod assisted the four complainants in the filing of charges before the City Prosecutor’s Office on Friday.
Police Chief Master Sgt. Ramiro Gocotano, CIDG-Bacolod head, said that Barangay Mansilingan is the sixth village here which is being investigated for the alleged SAP anomaly.
Gocotano said that the complainants reported to the CIDG that the respondents allegedly prioritized their close and political affiliates, relatives, and family members in the SAP distribution.
The complainants also alleged that the SAP allowance was given to some houses with double recipients, and beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).
The CIDG, in its investigation, found out that the respondents allegedly did not properly screen the qualified beneficiaries but instead prioritize those who are beneficial to their personal interest that resulted in the leaving out of most qualified beneficiaries.
Meanwhile, Pico and the other respondents have yet to comment on the accusations against them.
