8 Leyte village officials charged over cash aid mess

TACLOBAN CITY – The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) has filed graft charges against two village chiefs and six other local officials in Eastern Visayas for alleged anomalies in the distribution of emergency cash subsidy.

Cases for violation of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corruption Practices Act and RA 11469 or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act were filed against the chairman, four councilors, secretary and treasurer of Nati village in Maasin City, Southern Leyte on May 19, Col. Reynante Panay, CIDG Eastern Visayas director said in a statement on Thursday.

According to the police report, a complainant disclosed that the officials asked PHP1,500 donation from the beneficiaries of the PHP5,000 cash aid under the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) of the Department of Social Welfare of Development (DSWD).

The accumulated donations amounting to PHP56,000 were distributed to families who were not recipients of the cash assistance, while the village officials received PHP2,000 each from the remaining amount, it added.

On May 18, charges for violation of RA 3019 and RA 6713 or the Code of Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees were also filed against the chairman of Jordan village in Palompon, Leyte for alleged deduction of PHP1,000 from the emergency cash subsidy, intended for those excluded as SAP beneficiary.

“The CIDG has been tapped to probe cases relating to the anomalous distribution of the cash assistance, so we encouraged everyone to report to our nearest field office any information regarding this or you can contact us through Cidg Taloban Facebook page or email us at cidgtacloban@gmail.com,” Panay said.

Meanwhile, the DSWD is now validating those who have received the SAP assistance, to confirm if local government units have complied and followed the guidelines in enlisting beneficiaries.

Based on DSWD report, some 546,769 families have already received cash assistance in the region. (PNA)