ILOILO City – In one of the biggest scandals uncovered in the government’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Thursday filed administrative charges against 12 barangay officials and two Iloilo City Hall employees, accusing them of systematically deducting P8,000 from each beneficiary during a November 11 payout.
DSWD’s Secretary Rex Gatchalian personally led the filing of the complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman yesterday, December 11. He said the coordinated nature of the scheme marks it as a “systemic process” rather than an isolated abuse of authority.
“The highlight here is that you have long been asking us in the DSWD about cases of deductions from aid. I think this is the first time we are filing a case involving this many officials,” Gatchalian said.
He added: “Normally, we file one case against a single individual — one in Davao Region, one in Cagayan de Oro.”
But the Iloilo City incidents, Gatchalian said, appeared to show a systemic process.
“They were waiting for beneficiaries across different barangays, scattered, but imposing the same kind of illegal ‘taripa.’ That’s why they were caught this time,” said Gatchalian.
The charges stem from grievance complaints submitted by multiple beneficiaries who reported that from the intended P10,000 AICS aid, only P2,000 remained after barangay intermediaries allegedly demanded deductions.
‘People in authority victimizing them’
Gatchalian said barangay officials and local government personnel are supposed to protect crisis-stricken residents.
“When you approach the DSWD, it means you are already in crisis. You are already a victim of circumstances — but here, people in authority are the ones victimizing them,” he said.
The Secretary stressed the department would pursue accountability without hesitation: “This is something the DSWD will fight. We are asking the Ombudsman to investigate and, if needed, impose preventive suspensions and further sanctions.”
Criminal cases underway
Apart from the administrative complaint, the DSWD is also preparing criminal charges to be filed before the courts after completing the consolidation of additional evidence and testimonies.
“This kind of corruption will not be tolerated under my leadership,” Gatchalian added. “We will pursue this until the victims get justice.”
Who are charged
The list of respondents includes barangay captains, kagawads, treasurers, secretaries, and two Iloilo City Hall employees:
* Jobert Lim – City Hall personnel
* Janicol Dizon – City Hall personnel
* Gina Elauria – Barangay Captain, Taytay Zone II
* Jingjing Pineda – Barangay Kagawad, Taytay Zone II
* Amadeo Sultan – Barangay Captain, Simon Ledesma, Jaro
* John Doe – Barangay Kagawad, Simon Ledesma, Jaro
* John Doe – Barangay Treasurer, Simon Ledesma, Jaro
* Visamin Canal – Barangay Captain, Quezon, Arevalo
* John Doe – Barangay Kagawad, Quezon, Arevalo
* Remedio Bedia – Barangay Captain, Lanit
* Kagawad Huntado – Barangay Lanit
* Kagawad Gonzales – Barangay Lanit
* Rizaline Delmo – Barangay Captain, Quintin Salas
* Victoria Rowel – Barangay Kagawad, Quintin Salas
They could not be reached for comment as of this writing.
The three unidentified “John Does” remain under verification.
DSWD vows tighter safeguards
Gatchalian said the agency will strengthen monitoring mechanisms to prevent similar schemes from happening not only in Iloilo City but across the country.
Last month after several complaints surfaced, DSWD, at the request of Mayor Raisa Treñas, temporarily suspended AICS payouts in the city while complaints were being reviewed.
“The city is grateful that assistance is being provided to those in need, but it is essential that the program is carried out in a fair manner so that all beneficiaries receive the proper aid without favoritism,” a statement from the city government read.
DSWD urged beneficiaries to report any attempt to solicit, deduct, or “cut” their cash assistance — stressing that no official is allowed to take even a peso from aid meant for crisis-affected families.
Yesterday after Gatchalian filed the complaint, Iloilo City’s Cong. Julienne Baronda commended DSWD.
“The DSWD has our full support… It would be even more prudent for the DSWD to investigate similar incidents that occurred in 2024,” according to Baronda.
She added: “To others who were victimized by the same scheme, and to the other residents whose names were used to claim AICS without their knowledge, please come out and go to the DSWD Regional Field Office-6 to file your complaints. To the victims, we stand firmly behind you. Do not be afraid. Remain steadfast.”/PN
