THE Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) of the PNP is investigating 183 barangay officials for alleged graft and corruption in the distribution of cash aid to poor households under the government’s Social Amelioration Program (SAP).
Interior Secretary Eduardo Año refused to divulge the identities of the barangay officials.
Año said the complaints against the erring barangay leaders were made through the hotlines set up by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
President Duterte on May 4 offered a P30,000 reward for information that would lead to the arrest of barangay officials involved in corrupt activities in relation to the payout of the SAP aid. The offer was made as the President berated barangay kagawad (councilman) Danilo Flores of Barangay San Agustin in Hagonoy, Bulacan who allegedly forced residents to give to him P3,500 of their 6,500 SAP assistance.
Flores, who has been arrested by the police, was caught on video telling residents they would only get P3,000 because the rest, or P3,500, will go to Mayor Raulito Manlapaz for distribution to other beneficiaries. This was denied by Manlapaz.
PNP spokesman Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac said the PNP is currently doing a “case build-up” against the barangay officials.
“Our validation is continuing,” said Banac, while expressing concern that some of the complaints were the result of misunderstanding with barangay officials or due to politics. He did not elaborate.
