CEBU, Philippines — Fourteen barangay captains and three tanods from Cebu are among the 90 individuals in Central Visayas who have been charged for alleged irregularities in the disbursement of the Special Amelioration Program (SAP) funds.
P/Major Ronald Tolosa, deputy chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) - 7, said that aside from the 23 barangay captains, the charges were also filed against 13 barangay councilmen, a Sangguniang Kabataan chairman, three barangay secretaries, four barangay health workers, eight purok leaders, and four social workers.
Of the 23 barangay captains, three are from Cebu City, two are from Mandaue City, two are from Lapu-Lapu City, and one is from Talisay City.
CIDG also filed charges against a barangay captain of Carmen town and five barangay captains of Tuburan town.
Three tanods in Cebu Province have also been charged.
The CIDG-7 started its investigation in the alleged SAP anomalies in April following an order from President Rodrigo Duterte.
Twenty-six civilians are also among those facing charges after investigation revealed they received the funds even if they are not qualified beneficiaries.
“Na-file na nato ni. Nagpaabot nalang ta sa resolution gikan sa korte (We have filed the cases. We are now waiting for the resolution from the court),” Tolosa said.
Tolosa said they were able to gather evidence such as documents and statements of witnesses.
“Aduna kitay mga complainant niini, aduna kitay mga witnesses niini gihapon so gipang kuhaan ni sila ug mga statement ug kadtong mga documentary evidence gihapon maoy mga gi-submit nato ani atol sa pag-file nato’g kaso sa mga opisyal nga na-involve niini,” Tolosa said.
(We have complainants, witnesses who have issued statements, and documentary evidence that we have submitted when we filed the cases against the officials involved.)
The officials and civilians involved are facing charges for violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, and the Bayanihan Act.
The SAP was being distributed to the poorest of the poor in the community as aid during the COVID-19 pandemic, as may have lost jobs when the country was under lockdown. — JMO (FREEMAN)