BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
There are now 147 barangay officials and workers in Western Visayas charged in various prosecutors’ offices by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group for alleged irregularities in the distribution of financial assistance under the government’s Social Amelioration Program, as of July 16.
The 11 barangay officials of Brgy. 35 in Bacolod City, and some civilians, as well as three barangay officials of Bitaogan in Passi, Iloilo were added to the list of respondents, according to a statement issued by CIDG Regional Field Unit 6, headed by PLt. Col. Gervacio Balmaceda.
The filing of charges against the respondents stemmed from the complaints of 127 residents of Western Visayas, who accused the barangay officials of allegedly playing favoritism in the selection of SAP beneficiaries.
CIDG records showed that 71 of the respondents are barangay officials and workers in Bacolod City, and 16 others in Negros Occidental. Forty other respondents are Iloilo barangay officials, 11 in Capiz, eight in Antique, and one in Aklan.
Balmaceda said that separate administrative cases are to be filed against the respondents for violation of RA 6713, known as Code of Ethical Standard of Public Official, before the Office of the Ombudsman.*
