2 barangay chiefs probed for SAP distribution anomaly — Gamboa

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) said it is investigating two barangay captains from provinces for alleged irregularities in the distribution of the government’s cash aid for poor families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Merong one I think from Region 5 na parang ang anomaly is that barangay captain distributes the forms before tapos there is a question yung sino ang dapat recipient,” PNP chief Gen. Archie Gamboa said in a press conference during a turnover ceremony at the Philsports Arena in Pasig on Wednesday.

(There is one I think from Region 5 and the allegation was that the barangay captain distributed the forms before then there was a question on who should be the recipient.)

“And then another one I think is in Region 6 na meron naman sinasabi na yung parang niece or nephew ng barangay captain who is not actually poorest of the poor are included on the list but ito for  a startup ito yung mga inimbestigahan,” he added.

(And then another one I think is in Region 6 and the claim was that the barangay chief’s niece or nephew who is not actually the poorest of the poor has been included in the list. For a start-up, these are the ones being investigated.)

Gamboa did not disclose the names of the accused local officials and their specific locations while the police investigation is ongoing.

On Tuesday, Gamboa ordered the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group to lead the probe of local executives accused of corruption in the distribution of the social amelioration program (SAP).

The PNP chief also encouraged the public to give evidence on local officials caught pocketing government money.

“There will be more that’s why I hope, we could encourage the public, yung sa pabuya ni Presidente na P30,000, to give to the PNP the facts or probable witness so we can investigate,” he said.

(There will be more that’s why I hope we could encourage the public, on the reward of the President of P30,000, to give the PNP the facts or probable witness so we can investigate.)

On Monday night, President Rodrigo Duterte announced that P30,000 reward would be given for those who will report government officials stealing cash subsidy from SAP.