BY SHIELA G. GELERA
Officials, staff, and health workers of Barangay 39 in Bacolod City are facing charges for an alleged anomaly in the distribution of the Social Amelioration Program funds.
Facing complaints for violations of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, R.A. 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, and R.A. 11469 or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, are Barangay 39 captain Jude Salusada, kagawad Rogelio Faltiquera Jr., barangay secretary Rosenie Caballero, barangay treasurer Ma. Salve Atienza, barangay record keeper Marites Aragon Iso, barangay health workers Rogelyn Faltiquera Paglomutan, Lolita Florida, Rosela Plagata, Beth Fernando, Realyn Facturan, and barangay nutrition scholar Mercy Lorenton.
The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Bacolod personnel assisted five complainants in filing the charges against the 11 respondents before the Bacolod City Prosecutor’s Office.
In their joint affidavit, the complainants alleged that the respondents, in conspiracy with each other and for their personal interests, manipulated the inclusions of unqualified SAP beneficiaries to receive the subsidy in Barangay 39, prioritizing their close relatives and family members.
Some of the recipients who received the financial aid were also not actual residents of the barangay, but the list was still approved by the concerned officials, the complainants said.
Chief Master Sgt. Ramiro Gocotano, of the CIDG-Bacolod said that the spouse of a kagawad in Barangay 37, whose name was not disclosed, already has double claims of the SAP subsidy from barangays 35 and 39.
In Bacolod alone, 82 individuals are now facing charges in relation to SAP.*
