BY SHIELA G. GELERA
Seventy-one individuals in Bacolod City are now facing charges for alleged anomaly in the distribution of the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) grant to beneficiaries, Chief Master Sgt. Ramiro Gocotano of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Bacolod, said yesterday.
Members of CIDG-Bacolod assisted the complainants in filing the cases against the 71 respondents, who include barangay officials, staff members and personnel of the Department of Social Services and Development.
The charges filed were mostly for violation of Republic Act 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, RA 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, and RA 11469, or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act.
Officials and personnel of nine out of 61 barangays of Bacolod have pending SAP cases, Gocotano said.
He said respondents in four barangays have submitted counter-affidavits.
Common complaints against the respondents were for including those not qualified to avail of the SAP aid, for prioritizing their family members who have regular income, retired government workers, and even those who have already availed of other government financial assistance, such as 4Ps or Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, he said.
The CIDG-Bacolod is preparing more SAP charges for filing, Gocotano added.*
