Brgy officials charged for filching from SAP benefits

TACLOBAN CITY – Two barangay officials here were charged for alleged irregularities in the distribution of the national government’s Social Amelioration Program (SAP) benefits.

Charged before the Palompon, Leyte provincial prosecutor’s office was Barangay Jordan Chairperson Michael Vabor of Villaba, Leyte.

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Region 8 (CIDG-8) charged Villaba, Leyte, Barangay Jordan Chairperson Michael Vabor with allegations of deduction, splitting, falsification and other corrupt practices in his barangay.

The charges were filed before the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office in Palompon, Leyte.

According to six witnesses in Barangay Jordan, who were SAP beneficiaries, Vabor alleged deducted 11,000 from the cash subsidy given to residents who were not included in the list of recipients.

In Maasin City, Southern, Leyte, seven barangay officials, including Chairman Tirso Mendoza of BarangayNati, were also charged for reportedly collecting 11,500 from some SAP beneficiaries’ 15,000 SAP cash assistance.

It was alleged that the deductions, which totaled 156,000, were distributed among the families of BarangayNati who were not recipients of the SAP, while the remaining amount was given to the councilors and other officials of the barangays who reportedly got 12,000 each.

Also charged before the City Prosecutor’s Office were Barangay Councilors Genaro Lapasanda, Felicisimo Lora, Socorro Joseph,and Bienvenida Quilla; Barangay Secretary Ma. Luwela Mendoza; and Barangay Treasurer Imelda Lingo.