Caloocan village chief accused of SAP fund anomaly

MANILA, Philippines — A barangay captain in Caloocan has denied allegations hurled against him about irregularities in the distribution of the social amelioration program (SAP) fund.

A Facebook user using the name “Jayson Cruz” uploaded a video of Barangay 127 captain Lee Vitug allegedly asking for the half of the P8,000 cash aid of a resident.

“May kahati ka, hindi naman yan sa-ulo yan eh… Ako na nga nagmalakasakit sa inyo (You have someone to share it with. That is not given by head count… I’m the one here expressing concern for you),” the voice attributed to Vitug could be heard in the video of the encounter between the complainant and the barangay officials on the side of the road.

In another video of him being interviewed by the Facebook user, the complainant said he and his family felt harassed that the barangay officials were demanding the half of their SAP share.

In a GMA News report, the barangay captain denied the allegation.

“We give the money directly to the people. We only assisted in giving the aid to the barangay residents,” Vitug said.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government has warned barangay captains that they would face charges over SAP fund anomalies.

Caloocan Mayor Oca Malapitan said yesterday he has issued a show cause order directing Vitug to answer the allegations against him.