Seniors sue mayor over withheld cash aid

CEBU, Philippines — At least 11 senior citizens have filed an administrative case before the Office of the Ombudsman in the Visayas against the local chief executive of Dalaguete in southern Cebu officer-in-charge of the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) for alleged violations of the rights of senior citizens in the town.

Dalaguete Mayor Roland Allan Cesante and MSWDO OIC Jona Villahermosa were accused of grave misconduct, conduct unbecoming of a public officer, grave abuse of authority (favoritism/discrimination/oppression) manifest violation of Republic Act 7432, and violation of conduct and ethical standards for public official and employees.

The 11 complainants led by Valeriano Velardo, residents of various barangays in Dalaguete, claim that they have not received any senior citizen financial assistance since becoming members of the program.

This complaint stems from the municipality s distribution of the cash assistance earlier this year which was facilitated by Cesante and Villahermosa.

The complainants along with at least 1,815 senior citizens, aged 60-66 years old, claim that they were excluded from receiving their financial assistance under a policy that implemented an age cut-off, granting benefits only to senior citizens aged 67 and above.

Ang ubang senior citizens gitagaan og financial assistance, pero mora g pinili ra sila, mora g naay gipaboran," said Velardo in an interview.

The complainants said that the action directly contradicts the provisions of RA 7432, the Senior Citizens Act, which defines senior citizens as individuals aged 60 and above and entitles all qualified seniors to equal benefits, including government financial aid.

However, during the distribution of the cash assistance, respondent Mayor Roland Allan C. Cesante refused and did not give cash assistance to herein complainants without any justifiable cause or reason despite our clamor and demands that by law (RA 7432), we are also entitled of the mandate cash assistance granted by the government,  read a portion of the complaint.

The complainants also said that as bona fide senior citizens of Dalaguete, they are entitled to receive cash assistance as authorized and defined under Section 2 of RA 7432.

They accused Cesante of unlawfully, maliciously, and discriminatorily refusing to provide cash assistance to eligible individuals aged 60 to 66.

We, the complainants herein together with all the other 1,815 senior citizens of the Municipality of Dalaguete were all unjustly, willfully, and maliciously discriminated because we were NOT GIVEN our needed cash assistance,  read a portion of the complaint.

The complaint also raises concerns about the whereabouts of the funds allocated for the excluded age group.

Additionally, the complainants accused Cesante and Villahermosa of violating RA 6713, the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, which mandates public officials to act with fairness, justness, and sincerity.

The complainants argue that the selective implementation of benefits demonstrates favoritism and a failure to adhere to ethical standards.

The complainants are demanding accountability from the mayor and the MSWDO OIC. They claim that this unlawful policy has denied them essential assistance, leading to financial difficulties and emotional distress.

Para sa uban gamay ra nang kwartaha pero para nako usa ra ko ka mananagat, dako na kaayo na, said Velardo.

Velardo shared that if he had received the cash assistance, he would have been able to buy much-needed fishing gear and maintenance medicine, especially after undergoing surgery.

Meanwhile, Atty. Joey Borinaga, the legal counsel for the complainants, said that filing the case will support the senior citizens and other residents who were denied the proper benefits by the municipality.

Borinaga also mentioned that there are over 7,000 registered senior citizens in the municipality of Dalaguete.

Cesante was not available for comment yesterday. — /BRP (FREEMAN)