The government will continue holding barangay officials accountable for their alleged involvement in anomalies in the distribution of the social amelioration program (SAP).
Martin Diῆo, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary for Barangay Affairs, reported that complaints have already been filed against more than 100 barangay officials before the Office of the Ombudsman. Investigation is now ongoing.
“Dito sa Metro Manila, napakarami pa nating iniimbestigahan, lalo na sa malalaking barangay (We are investigating a lot in Metro Manila, especially in big barangays),” Diño disclosed.
“Kaya ito ay magsilbing warning sa kanila na hindi pa tayo tapos, na yung kampanya kontra-korapsyon ay down to barangay level ‘yan (This should serve as a warning to them that we are not yet done and the campaign against corruption is down to the barangay level),” Diño added.
President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday night publicly named 89 barangay officials preventively suspended over their alleged participation in the SAP payout corruption.
Diῆo said the move is a warning that the government is not missing out on its campaign against corrupt practices in the barangay level. The department nonetheless assured that due process will be observed in handling erring officials. – Report from Kenneth Paciente
