Mayor Cesante: Aid came from DSWD

CEBU, Philippines — Dalaguete Mayor Ronald Allan Cesante has broken his silence regarding the recent administrative complaint filed against him, arguing that it was the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), not the municipal government, that distributed the assistance that the 11 senior citizens said they were deprived of.

The senior citizens accused Cesante and Dalaguete’s Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office’s (MSWDO) officer-in-charge (OIC) before the Office of the Ombudsman of allegedly violating their rights.

In response, the mayor, in a video statement posted on the town’s social media page, said that the allegations against him were just meant to create trouble and tarnish his name and reputation.

He explained that he was unable to comment on the senior citizens’ complaint last Thursday because Dalaguete hosted the Capitol’s Caravan of Services on Friday, Nov. 29.

On the complaint against him, he said there are 8,000 active senior citizens in Dalaguete town, but since only 3,600 are indigents, they are the only ones who received allocations from the DSWD Central Office.

He said that qualified senior citizens are given P1,000 per month, with the distribution done quarterly.

“Kining social pension para kini sa mga indigent nga senior citizens. Kadtong mas nagkinahanglan, kadtong masakiton, kadtong bedridden, kadtong walay kapasidad makapalit og tambal,” Cesante said.

He said it is the DSWD that implements the social pension for senior citizens and that what the MSWDO does is only assist in the distribution of this aid.

“Ang programa gikan sa nasudnong pangagamhanan. It is the DSWD nga maoy ni implement ani. Nitabang ug gipatabang lang ang local social welfare office,” Cesante said.

He said that it was the DSWD that selected who qualified for the social pension for senior citizens, not his office.

To recall, the 11 senior citizens, led by one Valeriano Velardo, claimed that they have not received any senior citizen financial assistance since becoming members of the program.

They accused Cesante and MSWDO OIC Jona Villahermosa of grave misconduct, conduct unbecoming of a public officer, grave abuse of authority (favoritism/discrimination/oppression) manifest violation of Republic Act (RA) 7432.

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

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

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 argued that “the selective implementation of benefits demonstrates favoritism and a failure to adhere to ethical standards.”

They are demanding accountability from Cesante and Villahermosa, claiming that the “unlawful policy” denied them essential assistance, leading to financial difficulties and emotional distress.

In his response, Cesante said he has already sent a letter to DSWD-7 requesting an impartial and immediate investigation into the issue.

“Kay dili man ang munisipyo, dili ang opisina sa mayor maoy nag-implementar ini. Kung duna silay gi-question it must be the DSWD Regional Office or the DSWD secretary,” he said.

He also said they will investigate whether the complainants, along with the 1,815 senior citizens, truly did not receive the social pension or if they were actually qualified to receive it.

Additionally, Cesante revealed that he received a report stating that these senior citizens were asked to go to a barangay hall because there were municipal and DSWD officials who were giving P3,000 each.

Cesante said that their IDs were collected and they were asked to sign, which he said was the reason why they were allegedly included in the complaint. The mayor said they will look into this matter thoroughly.

“Nangayo ko og legal advice kung duna bay tulobagon kadtong nangilad, nagdani, ug nagdala niining mga senior citizens para pareklamohon,” he said.

He said that with the 2025 midterm elections approaching, the matter may just be an attempt to discredit him, with individuals with vested interest possibly seeking to influence others and gain support.

“Nakasabot ko kining tanan aron paghatag og gubot, aron siguro pagdaot siguro sa akong ngalan og reputasyon,” Cesante said.

“Mao ng mangita pod ko og paagi aron akong maprotektahan ang akong kaugalingon, akong reputasyon, ang akong ngalan, ang opisina nga gigunitan, ang municipal government ug ang akong mga co-workers nga nagtrabaho lang intawon nga tinuoray,” he added.  — (FREEMAN)

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