89 barangay captains suspended for COVID-19 fund irregularities

A total of 89 barangay captains were preventively suspended for six months over alleged irregularities in the distribution of the cash aid under the social amelioration program, President Rodrigo Duterte said Monday night.

“Itong mga barangay captains, I warned you. ‘Pag umpisa pa lang sinabi ko na do not f*ck with this. Itong pera sa pantawid. ‘Yong panahod ng COVID na namigay ang gobyerno ng pera para sa mga mahihirap. Sinabi ko na lalo na sa barangay level na ‘wag na ‘wag ninyo gawin,” Duterte said in his nationally televised address.

“Now suspendido muna for six months then may hearing sa kaso mo. If a case is filed against you kasi pera ito, either pera na binulsa ninyo o hindi niyo ginamit o kung anong kabalastugan ang ginawa ninyo sa pera,” he added.

Last year, the Department of the Interior and Local Government said irregularities committed by the barangay officials include splitting the cash assistance, falsification of the master list, and getting a "cut" or "tara" from the beneficiaries.

More than P200 billion was allotted for the social amelioration program under the Bayanihan to Heal As One Act (Bayanihan 1) to provide cash subsidy to some 18 million households.

The cash subsidy was given in two tranches and was aimed at helping households cope with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Under the Bayanihan to Recover As One Act (Bayanihan 2), cash subsidies ranging from P5,000 to P8,000 was given to low-income households in areas under granular lockdown and those with recently returned overseas Filipino workers, as well as to displaced workers. -- BAP, GMA News