By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

After a local radio station claimed Barangay Su-ay Captain Cherry Hope Maravilla Belarga of Himamaylan City was financially benefiting from an allegedly fake Commission on Higher Education scholarship program, the barangay official affirmed the program’s legitimacy.

According to the accusers, the recruiter handling the community scholarship program is fake and instead represents a local political party in opposition to the current city administration under Mayor Agustin Ernesto Bascon.

Belarga said the program, which is exclusive to her barangay, has been around since 2012.

However, she did make mention of the incumbent city administration, noting, “The current administration did not give us any programs.”

“I had to find a way to get a program in education,” the barangay captain added.

Belarga also said the broadcaster who made the claims had reportedly filed charges against her but she has yet to receive news regarding any formal complaint.

She also presented documentation to affirm the program’s credibility and acknowledged there is a P390 fee but explained the money goes towards sending documents to Iloilo City, where they are processed.

Meanwhile, the barangay official pointed out the radio station did not make any attempt to contact her regarding the issue and said they plan on filing charges as the accusations have maligned her dignity and the image of the barangay.

She went on to accuse the radio station of irresponsible reporting./DGB, WDJ