BY SHIELA G. GELERA
The barangay captain and personnel of Barangay 35 in Bacolod City were charged yesterday before the Bacolod City Prosecutor’s Office for alleged irregularities in the distribution of financial assistance under the government’s Social Amelioration Program.
Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Bacolod City personnel assisted three complainants in filing the charges against Brgy. 35 captain Ruben James Miranda, personal secretary Mary Jane Chua, barangay secretary Merlita Bernal, treasurer Luzviminda Ayson, staff members Antonieto Guanzon and Dona Tambuga, barangay focal person Ethel Rojo, office clerks Joenel Caballero and Reynel Cordova, barangay ghost employee Cheryl Ibanez, and volunteer surveyor Zenaida Nequia, the CIDG-Bacolod records showed.
The charges are 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.
In the joint affidavit of the complainants, they claimed that the respondents, as members of the Barangay Selection Process Team, prioritized their political affiliates, relatives, family members and barangay appointed employees as SAP recipients.
The complainants also stated that there were double and multiple entries of SAP recipients in a family, based on the masterlist of Brgy. 35 beneficiaries.*