Barangay chair, social welfare officer face complaints for alleged cash aid distribution irregularities in Neg Occ

Complaints were filed against a barangay chairperson and a municipal social welfare and development officer in Negros Occidental for alleged irregularities in the distribution of the cash aid from the Social Amelioration Program (SAP).

Western Visayas police chief Police Brigadier General Rene Pamuspusan said Friday complaints for violation of Article 171 of the Revised Penal Code or the “falsification of document by a public officer” were filed against Maria Luz Leal Ferrer, chairwoman of Barangay 8 in Isabela, and social welfare officer Mae Fajardo.

Pamuspusan said authorities have received information that Ferrer allegedly gave cash aid to her grandchild and niece despite not being qualified in the program. Her alleged cohort was the MSWD officer.

There were also complaints that Ferrer was supposedly biased in selecting beneficiaries in the locality, police said.

Meanwhile, Pamuspusan said Wizza Leal and Emmanuel Orsolon were also facing complaints for alleged violation of Article 172 or the "falsification of public document by a private individual."

Amid this incident, Pamuspusan directed all provincial and city directors in Western Visayas to establish hotlines and complaint centers which will handle reports about irregularities in the SAP aid distribution.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government warned local officials against prioritizing relatives and political allies in the distribution of cash aid.

The Philippine National Police was tasked to prioritize the investigation on the alleged anomalies in the cash aid distribution program.

PNP chief Police General Archie Francisco Gamboa has directed the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group to conduct case buildup operations against alleged corrupt local officials.—AOL, GMA News