Brgy. execs facing criminal raps over cash aid anomalies now 134 –DILG

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Monday said the number of barangay officials facing criminal complaints over alleged anomalies in the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) pay-out has reached 134.

In a press statement, DILG Secretary Eduardo Año said the number represents a 320% increase from last week when 42 barangay officials were reported to have been named respondents in complaints filed by the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation Group (PNP-CIDG).

"Hindi ninyo matatakasan ang mga panlolokong ginawa ninyo sa pamimigay ng ayuda.  Sinira ninyo ang tiwala ng gobyerno at ng inyong mga kabarangay kaya sa kalaunan, sa kulungan ang bagsak ninyo,” Año said.

Año said the police would file nine more cases in the next few days, adding that law enforcers are already fast tracking the case build-up on 86 other cases.

He added that a total of 318 complainants went to the PNP-CIDG and its regional field units to report the anomalous actions of their barangay officials during the SAP distribution.

Meanwhile, the agency also thanked the Department of Justice and the Prosecutor General for ordering all provincial and city prosecutors to prioritize the preliminary investigation of cases against these accused barangay officials.

“We are grateful to the DOJ and the Prosecutor General for prioritizing these cases. We need to send a strong message to corrupt barangay officials that their criminal activities will not be tolerated,” DILG spokesman Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said. --Anna Felicia Bajo/KBK, GMA News