MANILA, Philippines — Manila Mayor Isko Moreno on Monday implemented the Office of the Ombudsman’s suspension order against five barangay officials over irregularities in the implementation of the government cash aid during the COVID-19 pandemic. In a statement, the Manila Public Information Office said the five barangay officials were slapped with preventive suspension without pay for six months by Ombudsman Samuel Martires. Related Stories 89 barangay captains suspended over SAPThe Ombudsman’s suspension order furnished to Moreno states that the directive is for “immediate implementation.”“Upon receipt of the Ombudsman’s order, the mayor issued the memoranda to immediately suspend the five barangay officials,” the Manila PIO also said. Barangay 449 Chairman Romeo Garcia, for grave misconduct, dishonesty and conduct unbecoming of a public official. SAP anomaliesManila PIO chief Julius Leonen confirmed to Philstar.com that the suspension order were over government probe into anomalies in the distribution of the Social Amelioration Program.

Source: Philippine Star September 28, 2020 08:03 UTC