Bacolod village officers face SAP anomaly charges

BACOLOD CITY: Another barangay ( village) captain and 20 other individuals in this city are facing charges over alleged irregularities in the distribution of the government’s cash aid under the Social Amelioration Program ( SAP).

PCMS. Ramiro Gocotano, officer in charge of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group ( CIDG)- Bacolod, said seven complainants filed charges before the Bacolod City Prosecutor’s Office on Wednesday against Barangay Alangilan chief Degie Tanista Sr. and 20 other staff of the village.

Charged with Tanista were barangay kagawad ( councilor) Michael Solano; barangay secretary Lemia Magan; and surveyors Degie Tanista Jr., Johnrey Tanista, Ian Tanista, Marnell Villanueva, Myrna Villaruel, Donna Altaras, Glend Mae Tipon, Arlene Lamis, Edelyn Medina, Zara Mae Alegro, Lyka Magan, Razel Alegro and Jasmin Guadalupe.

The CIDG also charged staff members Melissa Velez, Maricel Buenaflor, Amy Remada, Leslie Ligaya and Catherine Javier.

According to the joint affidavits of the complainants obtained by The Manila Times, the respondents acting in “conspiracy” listed beneficiaries of the SAP who were there “close relatives, family members, political affiliates, double recipients as spouses and other recipients that are not actually qualified for they obtain the highest income with decent positions and some who are not even residents of Barangay Alangilan.”

Earlier, the CIDG filed charges against barangay officials of Barangay 19 and Barangay Felisa in Bacolod City.