Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian on Thursday (December 11) files administrative charges at the Office of the Ombudsman against local officials in Iloilo City involved in payout anomalies under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS).
The action follows a report submitted to Secretary Gatchalian on November 12 by DSWD’s Field Office (FO) 6 – Western Visayas which indicated multiple grievance complaints from AICS beneficiaries. Allegedly, certain local officials unlawfully took Php8,000 from beneficiaries during the AICS payout on November 11, 2025, which left only Php 2,000 to the intended recipients.
Secretary Gatchalian strongly condemned the reported acts of corruption, reiterating that fraudulent practices will not be tolerated under his leadership. He further emphasized the DSWD’s commitment to safeguarding the integrity of its social protection programs and ensuring that assistance fully reaches the rightful beneficiaries.
Criminal cases are currently being prepared and evaluated as evidence continues to be gathered. (KB)
DSWD chief decries AICS corruption, files complaints vs 14 barangay officials in Iloilo before Ombudsman
True to his commitment to safeguard agency programs and services from corruption, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian has filed criminal complaints against 14 barangay officials in Iloilo province suspected of deducting Php8,000 from the Php10,000 cash aid intended for the beneficiaries of the DSWD’s Assistance to Individuals In Crisis Situation (AICS) program.
Secretary Gatchalian strongly condemned the corruption that occurred during the AICS payout in several barangays in Iloilo City last November.
“Madalas akong natatanong, kasi may mga reports sa media na may kaltasan daw na nangyayari sa aming AICS program. Ito yung ayuda na kapag may nangangailangan ng tulong medical, burial, transportation. Ang lagi kong sinasabi, sana may mag-report kasi all we get are anecdotes. But ngayong araw na to ay kakaiba dahil meron talagang mga nag-report sa iloilo City,” Sec. Gatchalian said during the filing of cases at the Ombudsman in Quezon City on Thursday (December 11).
Secretary Gatchalian immediately took action after receiving a report from the DSWD’s Field Office (FO) 6 – Western Visayas on November 12, which documented a number of grievances from the AICS beneficiaries in Iloilo City.
The report indicated that barangay officials allegedly took Php8,000–Php9,000 from the Php10,000 cash assistance intended for beneficiaries, returning only Php1,000–Php2,000 to each recipient of cash aid under the DSWD’s AICS program.
A total of 14 local officials, including barangay captains, kagawads, treasurers and some personnel from 16 barangays in Iloilo City will face criminal and administrative cases before the Office of the Ombudsman.
The cases filed against the 14 barangay officials include grave misconduct, violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, abuse of authority, and violation of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials.
“Nakakalungkot isipin kasi ang sabi nga ng ating Pangulo, dapat ang tulong ng DSWD diretso sa bulsa ng mga nangangailangan, wala dapat nangingialam diyan. Na-revictimized yung mga victims kasi lumapit yan sa amin may crisis na [silang] pinagdadaanan, pero dito yung mga people with authority pa ang nag revictimized sa kanila,” the DSWD Chief reporters during a presser shortly after the filing.
Secretary Gatchalian reassured the victims of the payout anomalies that the Department will conduct reassessment through designated social workers to ensure that they receive the cash aid due them.
The DSWD has temporarily suspended the AICS program in Iloilo City, pending the results of a deeper investigation that will unmask other local officials who may be involved in the criminal act. The AICS distribution will resume in January next year.
“Maraming may akala na yung kaltasan ay nangyayari during the payout. Hindi po. Hindi po mga social workers namin ang gumagawa ng kaltasan. Nangyayari kadalasan ang harassment ng kaltasan ‘pag nakalabas ka na sa secured payout site. Ang gumagawa niyan sa reports normally ay yung mga people of authority na kinakatakutan nila,” Secretary Gatchalian pointed out.
Secretary Gatchalian urged the AICS beneficiaries to report anomalies, emphasizing that barangay officials cannot remove anyone from the payout list, as only the DSWD social workers have the authority to validate and determine who are eligible for cash aid.
“Hopefully [the filing of cases] sends a strong signal na kung nasaan man kayo, because these are thousands of payouts, huwag niyo nang tangkain, kasi we take these things seriously. Mayroon kaming mga tinitindigang mga complaints,” the DSWD Chief said as he warned local officials involved in the AICS-related corruption.
The DSWD has recommended to the Office of the Ombudsman that aside from the administrative charges, an immediate investigation be conducted against the identified perpetrators and that preventive suspension from one to six months be imposed on the officials involved.
The DSWD is also preparing criminal cases, including grave coercion and violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, pending completion of evidence against those who are subject of the Ombudsman complaint. (KB)
