Negros village chief charged over SAP anomaly

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — A barangay captain and a social welfare officer in Negros Occidental are facing charges over alleged irregularities in the distribution of cash assistance under the government’s Social Amelioration Program (SAP).

Maria Luz Ferrer, captain of Barangay 8 in Isabela town, and municipal social welfare and development officer Mae Fajardo allegedly falsified documents to give  cash assistance to her relatives, including a 13-year-old.

Charges for violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and falsification of public documents were filed before the city prosecutor’s office on Thursday.

Private individuals Wizza Leal and Emmanuel Orsolon also face charges in connection with the case.

The allegations reportedly reached Malacañang through a text message by a private complainant and forwarded to the Negros Occidental police for investigation.

Col. Romeo Baleros, provincial police director, said they would welcome complaints against anyone involved in anomalies in connection with the distribution of cash assistance for poor families affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

Brig. Gen. Rene Pamuspusan, Western Visayas police director, ordered provincial and city police chiefs to investigate anomalies in the distribution of SAP in the region.

Pamuspusan stressed the need to put up action centers and hotlines to cater to complaints against erring barangay officials.

President Duterte had earlier offered a reward of P30,000 for information leading to the arrest of corrupt local officials.

As this developed, Maj. Charles Gever of the Bacolod Police Station 8, Cpls. Chrismar Leduna and Rusty Niño and Pat. Philip Cueto and Reenmar Bemil were relieved from their post for alleged failure to strictly implement the protocols of the enhanced community quarantine.

They were transferred to the Bacolod City police headquarters pending the result of an investigation.