FOR SAP IRREGULARITIES

SIX barangay captains in four towns in Pangasinan were placed under six-month preventive suspension by the Office of the Ombudsman (OMB) based on the complaints filed by the Department of Interior and Local Government for alleged anomalies and irregularities committed on the implementation of the first tranche of the Social Amelioration Program (SAP).

The six suspended barangay captains are Ariel Cayabyab Hiquiana of Barangay San Vicente, San Jacinto; Walter Velasco y Bruan of Cablong, Sta. Barbara; Angel Oria Sombrito of Calanutan, Rosales; Lawrence Gilbert de los Angeles of Balogo, Binmaley; Froilando Fernandez of Gayaman, Binmaley; and Rogelio Fernandez of Caloocan Norte, Binmaley.

The six are among 12 barangay captains in Region 1 and 89 from all over the country ordered suspended by the OMB after it determined that the evidence against them for Serious Dishonesty, Grave Misconduct, Abuse of Authority and conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of the Service have basis.

The OMB said the continued stay in office of these barangay captains “may prejudice the case against them” as it clarified the six-month suspension against them pursuant to Republic Act No. 677“ is proper under the premises.

Interior and Local government Secretary Eduardo Año directed the municipal mayors of the charged barangay captains to immediately implement the order of the OMB. He also directed DILG regional directors to ensure the orderly implementation of the suspension.

At presstime, however, DILG Pangasinan provincial office said it has not received the official order from the Ombudsman for the implementation of the suspension of the six village chiefs.

“We so far have the verbal communication and we haven’t received yet the formal order from the Office of the Ombudsman and from the DILG head office through our regional office,” DILG-Pangasinan provincial director Paulino Lalata Jr. said in an interview on Tuesday.

Lalata said the officials may still continue with their duties while waiting for the implementation of the order.

“If found guilty, some of the possible punishments are reprimand, suspension, or termination from the service,” he said, adding the decision on their benefits being received as elected officials will depend on the verdict on the charges against them.

Lalata said while the suspension order is in effect against the barangay chairman, the first village councilor will automatically assume the post in their respective barangays.

He added that he expects more barangay officials will be suspended because of the SAP anomalies.

Meanwhile, on orders of Sec. Año, the PNP-CIDG filed criminal cases against 447 individuals for violations of RA 3019 (Ant-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act), RA 11469 (Bayanihan Act 1), and RA 6713 (Code of Conduct of Government Officials and Employees), among others. (Leonardo Micua/ Jerick Pasiliao)

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