Philippine News Agency • June 18, 2020
SAP anomaly raps filed against officials in 2 Bacolod villages
SAP COMPLAINT. Ronald Doronila of Barangay Banago submits his affidavit to the City Prosecutor’s Office at the Hall of Justice in Bacolod City on Wednesday (June 17, 2020). He filed a complaint against Purok Tinagong Paraiso chairman Ernesto Gonzaga, who allegedly took PHP4,000 out of the PHP6,000 cash aid he received under the government’s Social Amelioration Program (SAP). (Photo courtesy of PNP-CIDG Bacolod City)
BACOLOD CITY – More barangay officials in this city are facing charges for their alleged involvement in anomalies related to the distribution of government cash assistance for low-income families affected by coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) crisis.
The complainants filed charges against these officials before the City Prosecutor’s Office on Tuesday and Wednesday with the assistance of the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG).
Chief M/Sgt. Ramiro Gocotano, officer-in-charge of CIDG-Bacolod City Field Unit, said they lodged the complaint on Wednesday against a sub-village official in Barangay Banago.
The respondent, identified as Purok Tinagong Paraiso chairman Ernesto Gonzaga, was charged for allegedly violating of Republic Act (RA) 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and RA 11469 or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act.
Complainant Ronald Doronila said Gonzaga took PHP4,000 out of the PHP6,000 cash aid he received under the government’s Social Amelioration Program (SAP).
In his affidavit, Doronila said that on April 29, 2020, he received the PHP6,000 during the distribution held at the Barangay Banago Catholic church.
On his way home, Doronila passed by the store of Gonzaga, who asked him to turn over the amount of PHP4,000 since it will be used for the expenses of barangay front-liners.
The complainant said he “had no choice” but to surrender the amount to Gonzaga. However, his neighbor-companion Cristobal Gumabras refused to give in to Gonzaga, who also tried to get the same amount from him. Gumabras stood as a witness in the case filed by Doronila against Gonzaga.
On Tuesday, the CIDG-Bacolod also filed a complaint against Alangilan village chief Degie Tanista Sr., councilman Michael Solano, secretary Lema Magan, five barangay staff, and 13 surveyors before the City Prosecutor’s Office.
All 21 respondents, who were members of the barangay selection process team, were charged also for violation of RA 3019 and RA 6713.
According to the complaint, the respondents, on April 23, 2020, allegedly connived and confederated with each other in allowing their close relatives, family members, political affiliates, who are unqualified individuals to become recipients of government aid.
It added that Tanista signed and approved the list of names of the beneficiaries prepared by the appointed barangay officials and employees and submitted to the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
Seven barangay residents executed a joint affidavit to support the complaint.
This is the fifth case filed by the PNP-CIDG against barangay officials in this city related to their alleged involvement in SAP anomalies. (PNA)
