Blood thicker than water? Brgy. Captain in Allacapan, Cagayan faces scrutiny over PBBM scholars

“Bagi yuntu met nu sumaruno… Bassit dalang met gayam nga 4th year, kitak tu nu kasanu baka pagbibingayan da met lang… Nu sinu umawat, isun.” — Bulo Barangay Captain Greg Almazan, as quoted in Rubi Jhane Torida’s post

ALLACAPAN, Cagayan — Is blood thicker than water—or scholarship rules?

This question is now being raised in Barangay Bulo, Allacapan, Cagayan, after students questioned the transparency of the selection process for beneficiaries of the Bagong Pilipinas Barangay (PBBM) Scholarship Program, particularly after close relatives of Barangay Captain Greg Almazan reportedly appeared among the selected scholars.

The issue was brought to public attention by Rubi Jhane Torida, a fourth-year student, through a Facebook post on August 19, 2026.

Torida questioned how the scholars were selected, saying residents and students were not clearly informed about the qualifications, selection criteria, application process, or screening procedure before the beneficiaries were announced.

According to Torida, the matter had previously been brought to the attention of Almazan. However, she said the identities of the selected beneficiaries only became known to them during a meeting for another scholarship program on June 10, 2026.

Torida quoted Almazan as saying during the meeting: “Bagi yuntu met nu sumaruno,”“Bassit dalang met gayam nga 4th year, kitak tu nu kasanu baka pagbibingayan da met lang,” and“Nu sinu umawat, isun.”

Torida said other students and residents present at the barangay hall could attest to the statements.

She said they initially chose not to confront the matter, preferring to avoid creating an issue or making assumptions without sufficient information.

However, the statements raised questions about whether all qualified students had been given an equal opportunity to apply and undergo the same screening process.

Relatives among listed beneficiaries

The issue gained further attention after photographs of the selected scholars were posted on the barangay’s official Facebook page.

Torida pointed out that close family members of the barangay captain appeared among the beneficiaries.

She emphasized, however, that the concern was not simply about the beneficiaries being relatives of a barangay official.

“If they are qualified and underwent the same fair and transparent selection process as everyone else, then there should be no issue,” she wrote.

The issue drew another response when Joanna Almazan, identified in the post as the barangay captain’s daughter, allegedly responded to Torida’s Facebook post.

She wrote: “Ket nu FAMILY daka kuma, di kasali ka kuma met cysssst.”

The exchange further fueled questions online about whether the selection process was properly communicated and whether other qualified students were given the same opportunity to apply and undergo screening.

Netizens question selection process

The controversy also drew reactions from other netizens, with some questioning the inclusion of relatives of the barangay official and the eligibility of some individuals shown in the photographs.

Others questioned why only four beneficiaries appeared in the publicly circulated photos despite information that the program provides for five scholars per barangay.

Some comments went further, alleging that the selection appeared to favor a particular family rather than being based solely on scholarship qualifications.

These claims, however, remain unverified allegations and should not be treated as established facts without clarification from the barangay officials and the agencies responsible for implementing the scholarship program.

One commenter said: “Scholarship sana para sa deserving at qualified students, pero kung relatives ng barangay officials ang pinipili, nasaan ang fairness at transparency? Maraming estudyanteng nangangailangan at karapat-dapat. Sana may proper screening, due process, at equal opportunity para sa lahat—hindi yung nauuna ang may koneksyon. Scholarship should be based on qualifications, not connections.”

Student seeks answers, not accusations

Torida clarified that her post was not intended to accuse the barangay captain or the selected beneficiaries of wrongdoing.

Instead, she is asking the barangay to clarify the qualifications, selection criteria, application procedure, screening process, and basis for choosing the beneficiaries.

“Scholarship programs are intended to provide opportunities to qualified students, especially those who need financial assistance,” she wrote.

She also called for future scholarship selections in the barangay to be conducted transparently, allowing every qualified student to apply, undergo screening, and have an equal opportunity to receive assistance.

P200K allocation per barangay

Under the Bagong Pilipinas Barangay Scholarship Program, each barangay is allocated P200,000, with P100,000 earmarked for five scholars who will receive P20,000 each. The remaining P100,000 is intended for community projects.

The scholarship component primarily targets students nearing completion of their college degrees. In Cagayan, the program is reportedly expected to benefit around 4,100 students.

As of writing, the central issue is not whether the selected beneficiaries are qualified, but how they were selected and whether the process was transparent enough for other qualified students to understand and participate in it.

With P20,000 in scholarship assistance at stake for each beneficiary, the controversy raises a bigger question for the barangay: Were the scholarship doors opened equally to everyone who qualified—or did some already have a key before others even knew there was a door?

Captain yet to respond

As of publication, Barangay Captain Greg Almazan has yet to issue a statement or public response regarding the allegations and questions raised over the selection of the PBBM scholarship beneficiaries.

The barangay captain and other concerned officials may provide their explanation or clarification as the issue develops.