405 local officials tagged in SAP Anomalies

MANILA, Philippines — At least 405 local government officials are accused of corruption in the distribution of emergency cash subsidy under the national government’s social amelioration program.

The police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) said yesterday the local officials are facing investigation for reportedly having taken advantage of the cash aid program for their own benefit.

The officials allegedly included their relatives and unqualified recipients in the list of beneficiaries, and divided the cash to other poor households not on the list.

“The CIDG, in its continuous monitoring of cases pertaining to SAP cash aid distribution anomalies perpetrated by local government officials, already accepted and handled 169 cases from 307 complainants against 405 local government officials,” it said in a statement.

Of the number, 74 have been filed in courts, one was endorsed to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) while the rest are still under investigation.

The CIDG recently filed cases against officials for violation of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and RA 11469, also known as the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act.

Among them is councilor Ma. Dely Ala of Barangay Cawit in Manito, Albay who allegedly ordered four beneficiaries to return P2,500 each from the cash  they received.