DILG directs PNP to probe alleged corrupt officials involved in cash aid distribution

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año on Tuesday directed all units of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to probe alleged anomalies in the distribution of cash assistance under the government's social amelioration program.

"I am directing PNP units all over the country and also requesting the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to prioritize the investigation of graft and corruption cases against local officials on SAP distribution," Año said in a statement.

"Greedy and corrupt officials should have no place in the government. They are carriers of a malignant virus that destroys the trust the people gave to them,” he added.

This came following an incident in Hagonoy, Bulacan in which barangay official Danilo Flores of Barangay San Agustin allegedly took up to P3,500 from the P6,500 cash aid distributed to each beneficiary in the said barangay.

President Rodrigo Duterte even mentioned and slammed Flores in his public address late Monday night. The Chief Executive then offered a P30,000 reward for every person who could give information about corrupt officials in the distribution of cash aid despite the health crisis.

Año also criticized Flores' actions, saying that public officials should be the ones who will assist poor families in this time of COVID-19 pandemic.

“Nakakahiya! Ang SAP ay kinuha mula sa kaban ng bayan bilang ayuda sa mga salat sa buhay at walang kabuhayan sa gitna ng COVID-19 crisis. Hindi ito dapat ibulsa ng sinumang opisyal ng lokal na gobyerno,” he said.

Año warned that similar incidents would not be tolerated and sanctions would surely be imposed against corrupt local officials.

In a separate radio interview, DILG spokesman Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said provincial teams of the agency were also looking into corruption reports in their areas.

"Mayroon din pong provincial team ang DILG per province para naman po doon sa mga administrative cases. Sabay po 'yang gugulong..." Malaya said.

The said teams will be submitting to the DILG Central Office their regular reports of the actions they have taken against corrupt officials, Malaya said.

Malaya encouraged the public to report to the DILG the alleged irregularities being committed by their officials.

"Sa mga magrereklamo po, ang the best evidence ay of course video but an affidavit will do or any documentary evidence na puwedeng ipakita," Malaya said. — RSJ, GMA News