183 barangay officials being investigated by PNP for ‘corruption’ in SAP distribution

MANILA, Philippines — A total of 183 barangay officials are being investigated by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) for alleged graft and corruption in the distribution of cash aid to their constituents under the government’s social amelioration program (SAP).

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said Monday that complaints swamped the hotlines of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) following the P30,000 reward offered by President Rodrigo Duterte to anyone for verified information on local government officials stealing funds from SAP.

“Sa dami ng ating reklamong natanggap, 183 na ang iniimbestigahan ng ating kapulisan dahil may posibleng probable cause dito (Of all complaints we have received, the police are now investigating 183 barangay officials because there is probable cause),” Año said in a statement.

He said, however, that the identities of the 183 barangay officials cannot be disclosed yet since the investigation is still underway.

According to Año, some barangay officials are also subjects of multiple complaints directed to the DILG and DSWD.

Meanwhile, DILG Undersecretary and spokesperson Jonathan Malaya urged the public to report incidents of splitting cash aid, falsification of documents, and other corrupt practices being committed by local officials in the distribution of financial aid to the nearest police station or DILG field offices.

He said the public may also call the 8888 hotlines for graft and corruption complaints against local officials. He added that all DILG and PNP stations and hotlines are open to receive such reports.

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